Recent incidents, including a widely shared video of public figure\nAzka Corbuzier using a fire extinguisher to assist a motorcyclist, have\nbrought renewed attention to fire prevention. This comes amidst a surge\nin fire-related news in Indonesia, ranging from massive forest and land\nfires affecting millions to frequent domestic incidents.<\/p>\n
National Fire Department data from the Ministry of Home Affairs\nindicates that 20,427 fire cases occurred across Indonesia in 2024. The\ndata also highlights a significant challenge: the limited number of\nfirefighting personnel, which stands at only 50,417 people\nnationwide.<\/p>\n
To mitigate these risks, it is vital to prepare prevention and\nhandling tools so that incidents can be managed quickly before they\nescalate. Beyond the common fire extinguisher (APAR), which requires\nregular maintenance and specific usage techniques, experts suggest\nhaving fire blankets available in homes, particularly in kitchens, and\neven for electric vehicles.<\/p>\n
A fire blanket is a tool designed for early-stage fire suppression,\nsuitable for sources such as household stoves or vehicles, depending on\nits size. Made from fire-resistant glass fibres, it works by covering\nthe fire source to cut off the oxygen supply, thereby extinguishing the\nflames.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause fire requires oxygen to burn, covering it with this cloth\nremoves the oxygen and puts out the fire,\u201d said Fransiscus B. Hermanto,\nSales & Marketing Director of PT Wahana Safety Indonesia, during the\nGIFA Indonesia exhibition in Jakarta. He noted that while fire blankets\nand fire extinguishers serve different functions, they can be used\ncomplementarily.<\/p>\n
Fire blankets are particularly practical for handling small fires,\nsuch as those on one or two-burner stoves. The user simply covers the\nflame and waits for it to die out. The company is also in the process of\nproviding products specifically for electric vehicles, which would\nrequire larger blankets, at least 6 x 8 metres, to cover the vehicle\neffectively.<\/p>\n
Currently, the company provides household and industrial sizes, such\nas 1.2 x 1.8 metres and 1.8 x 1.8 metres, with prices starting from\nRp150,000. Unlike fire extinguishers, which use various agents like dry\npowder, CO2, or foam, a fire blanket can be used for various types of\nincidents depending on its specification.<\/p>\n
However, Fransiscus warned that usage must be appropriate for the\ntype of fire. For electrical fires, for instance, the power source must\nbe disconnected first to stop potential sparking. He also emphasised the\nneed for increased vigilance in industrial sectors, noting that data\nfrom BPJS Ketenagakerjaan recorded 319,224 work accident claims in 2025,\nwith 9,834 resulting in fatalities.<\/p>\n
This high number of accidents underscores the ongoing challenges of\nOccupational Health and Safety (K3), particularly in high-risk sectors\nsuch as mining, oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, and energy. As\na solution, PT Wahana Safety Indonesia provides comprehensive safety\nsolutions ranging from head and respiratory protection to gas detection\nand fire safety.<\/p>\n
Regarding fire blankets, Fransiscus noted that they leave no residue\nand are easy to use. Unlike some methods, they do not need to be dipped\nin water first. If the blanket remains in good condition after use, it\ncan be repackaged and reused.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/getting-to-know-fire-blankets-preventing-fires-with-simple-steps-1789098745", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }