Apartment fire safety news - July 2025

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 07/29/2025 08:59 AM PDT

Fire blankets - not recommended

We often get questions about fire blankets and whether or not they are worth buying. While we would never recommend one brand over another, when it comes to fire blankets, we cannot recommend buying or using any brand at this time.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has not stated fire blanket safety or effectiveness. Additionally, independent testing laboratories such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories) have not listed fire blankets as safe to use.

For these reasons, we do not recommend buying one. The best way to stay safe is to have working smoke alarms that will alert you to a fire and a fire escape plan.

If a small grease fire starts in a pan, instead of using a fire blanket, smother the flames by sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, leave the lid on until the pan has cooled.

Keeping doors closed for safety

Some apartment residents and staff members may want to prop open stairwell exit doors when the weather warms to improve air circulation. However, it is very important to make sure these doors remain closed and are not held open with wedges or other devices. Not only is keeping stairwell exit doors open a violation of Seattle Fire Code, it also can endanger evacuating residents in the event of a fire emergency.

During a fire, a closed door will prevent smoke from entering a stairwell and reduce the spread of smoke and toxic gases. Stairwells are used for primary evacuation and stairwell doors are designed to keep smoke out.

Wedged open stairwell exit doors are one of several items firefighters look for during annual inspections. Learn more about fire safety building inspections (non-high rise).