info@huaruifiberglass.com
Tel:+86 19579471436
Europe is experiencing another summer of exceptional heat. Prolonged high temperatures, dry vegetation and limited rainfall are creating conditions in which fires can start more easily and spread more rapidly.
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the average temperature over European land in June 2026 reached 19.14°C, approximately 1.78°C above the 1991–2020 average. It was the second-highest June temperature recorded for Europe, while an intense heatwave affected large parts of western and central Europe.
By mid-July 2026, wildfires had caused evacuations, transport disruption and emergency responses in several European countries, including France, Spain and the United Kingdom. Hot, dry and windy conditions contributed to the rapid spread of some of these fires.
Although most households cannot control a large wildfire, they can prepare for smaller domestic fires before they become uncontrollable. Keeping certified fiberglass fire-safety materials—particularly a fiberglass fire blanket—can provide a simple and immediate method of controlling certain small fires during their earliest stage.
Heatwaves do not automatically cause fires, but they create conditions that make ignition and fire spread more likely.
The World Health Organization notes that wildfire risk increases during drought, heatwaves and periods of high wind. Dry vegetation, overheated equipment and combustible materials can all become more vulnerable under these conditions.
During prolonged hot weather, several household risk factors may also increase.
Fans, portable air conditioners, refrigerators, chargers and cooling equipment may operate for longer periods during a heatwave. Damaged cables, overloaded sockets, unsuitable extension leads or poorly maintained appliances can increase the risk of overheating.
Residents should avoid connecting several high-power appliances to one extension lead and should immediately stop using plugs, sockets or cables that feel unusually hot, produce a burning smell or show visible damage.
Grass, leaves, garden waste, wooden furniture and other outdoor materials can become extremely dry during periods of limited rainfall. Sparks from barbecues, cigarettes, garden equipment or outdoor electrical devices may ignite these materials.
Open flames and barbecues should therefore be kept away from dry vegetation, fences, sheds and exterior walls. Local fire restrictions and wildfire warnings should always be followed.
Summer gatherings often involve barbecues, outdoor kitchens and increased cooking activity. Fat, cooking oil and grease can ignite when overheated. Using water on an oil or grease fire can spread burning liquid and make the situation significantly more dangerous.
The kitchen is already one of the highest-risk areas in a home. The Irish government’s household fire-safety guidance recommends having both a fire blanket and a suitable fire extinguisher available in the kitchen.
For most households, the most useful fiberglass-based emergency product is a certified fiberglass fire blanket.
This is different from ordinary fiberglass cloth, fiberglass insulation or industrial fabric. A household should not assume that any material containing glass fiber can safely be used to extinguish a fire.
A fire blanket is designed to cover a small fire and restrict its oxygen supply. Many fire blankets are manufactured from woven fiberglass because it can provide a flexible, heat-resistant barrier.
For European households, buyers should look for products tested to EN 1869:2019 or the applicable national adoption of this standard. BS EN 1869:2019 specifies requirements for single-person, non-reusable fire blankets intended to control small fires. It also addresses the risk of accidental contact with live electrical equipment.
A certified fire blanket may be useful for:
A fire blanket is not designed to extinguish a large room fire, a spreading structural fire or a wildfire approaching a property.
Households with garages, repair areas or hobby workshops may also use purpose-designed fiberglass fabric to protect nearby surfaces from welding sparks, grinding debris or brief heat exposure.
However, industrial fiberglass cloth must be selected according to its intended application. Coatings, binders, fabric weight and construction all affect performance. A piece of general-purpose fiberglass fabric should not be treated as a certified household fire blanket.
Fiberglass insulation may have fire-resistant characteristics, but insulation batts and loose-fill products are building materials. They are not designed to be handled during an active fire or placed over burning cookware.
Packaging, facings, adhesives and other components may also behave differently from the glass fibers themselves. Homeowners should therefore use purpose-built, tested fire-safety products rather than improvised materials.
A small fire can escalate quickly, particularly when surrounding materials are hot and dry. A readily accessible fire blanket can help a trained household member respond during the first moments of a limited fire.
A fire blanket does not require complex activation. The user pulls the release tabs, unfolds the blanket and carefully places it over the fire, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
This simplicity can be valuable during a stressful emergency, especially for people who may find a fire extinguisher difficult to operate.
Many fire extinguishers release powder, foam or other agents that may contaminate food, equipment and interior surfaces. A fire blanket controls a suitable small fire by covering it, without discharging extinguishing chemicals throughout the room.
However, this convenience does not make a blanket a replacement for an appropriate fire extinguisher. The two products serve different purposes and are most effective as parts of a wider home fire-safety plan.
London Fire Brigade advises people whose clothing catches fire to stop, drop and roll. A heavy fabric or fire blanket may also be used to smother the flames when it is safe to do so.
Larger certified fire blankets may be more suitable for this purpose, but households must check the product size, instructions and certification before use.
A fire blanket is only useful when it can be reached quickly and safely.
It should be:
Placing the blanket too close to the stove may make it impossible to reach once a fire has started. Mounting it near an exit allows the user to approach the fire while keeping an escape route behind them.
Some European housing guidance specifically requires fire blankets to be prominently wall-mounted in kitchens and to comply with standards such as EN 1869:2019.
A fire blanket should only be used when the fire is small, contained and safe to approach.
Never use water on a burning pan containing oil or fat. Do not move a burning pan, because this may spill the fuel and spread the flames.
Fire blankets covered by EN 1869 are intended for small fires and are generally non-reusable. After deployment, the blanket should be replaced, even when it appears undamaged.
Fiberglass fire-safety materials should support—not replace—a complete household fire strategy.
Every home should also have:
London Fire Brigade recommends heat alarms for kitchens because they can detect a temperature increase without being activated by normal cooking fumes. Smoke or heat alarms should also be installed in other areas where fires may begin.
Families should practise their escape plan and agree on an outdoor meeting point. Children, older people and residents with limited mobility may require additional assistance.
A household fire blanket cannot protect a building from an approaching wildfire. When authorities issue an evacuation order, residents should leave immediately and follow official routes.
During nearby wildfire smoke events:
Wildfire smoke contains particulate matter and other pollutants that can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and may worsen asthma and other health conditions.
Consumers and distributors should evaluate fire blankets according to documented performance rather than appearance or price alone.
Important purchasing considerations include:
Manufacturers should be able to provide test reports and technical documentation that correspond to the actual product being supplied. A certificate should not be accepted without checking the model number, dimensions, fabric construction and issuing laboratory.
Europe’s increasingly intense heatwaves are a reminder that fire preparedness must begin before an emergency occurs. Hot, dry and windy weather can increase wildfire danger, while greater use of electrical appliances, outdoor cooking and cooling equipment may create additional risks around the home.
A certified fiberglass fire blanket is compact, easy to store and capable of helping control certain small fires during their earliest stage. It can also assist in smothering burning clothing when used correctly.
However, households should purchase a purpose-built product that complies with recognized standards such as EN 1869:2019. Ordinary fiberglass cloth, insulation and untested materials are not substitutes for certified fire-safety equipment.
Combined with smoke and heat alarms, an appropriate extinguisher, safe cooking practices and a clear evacuation plan, a fiberglass fire blanket can become an important part of a more resilient household fire-safety system.
