Fire blankets give consumers a false sense of security: Ontario Fire Marshall, Pickering Fire [Video]

The recent commercial blitz and rising popularity of fire blankets has the Ontario Fire Marshall and local fire services concerned about the products giving residents a “false sense of security” about their effectiveness in fire safety.

While fire blankets have been advertised as an effective way to extinguish flames – such as those from stovetop fires – the Office of the Fire Marshal does not endorse them for consumer use, advising that they should only be used by trained professionals. Currently, there are no Canadian safety standards that apply to fire blankets.

Pickering Fire Chief Steve Boyd is reminding residents to prioritize “established and proven” fire safety practices to protect themselves.

“Pickering Fire Services fully supports the Office of the Fire Marshal’s recommendation that fire blankets are not intended for consumer use,” Boyd said. “While these products may appear to offer a convenient solution, they can inadvertently create a false …