For more than 30 years, Creswick Woollen Mills has worked closely with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in Victoria and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) in New South Wales. Together, we’ve developed and manufactured high-quality Personal Protection Blankets designed to maximise safety in the event of a bushfire. Through comprehensive research and forward-thinking innovation, Creswick has created a world-class safety product that can make a game-changing, critical difference in an emergency situation.
Masterfully Engineered for Optimal Safety
Creswick’s range of Personal Protection Blankets has been crafted with a specialised fabric combination of premium Australian wool and Aramid, a synthetic fibre purpose-built to deliver superior strength and heat resistance. It’s a combination that offers a much-needed additional protective layer in extreme fire conditions.
For safety-first best practices, the CFS strongly recommends that anyone who travels through any region vulnerable to bushfire events always carry a Personal Protection Blanket in their vehicle. As the warmer months of the year get closer and the mercury rises, this can be a particularly lifesaving precaution.
Why Are Personal Protection Blankets Essential?
Australia is notorious for its bushfires, and it certainly helps to have an action plan in place if you live in a fire-prone region of the country. But how does a Personal Protection Blanket help you in the event of a bushfire? Here are the benefits it provides:
- Protection from radiant heat: It might come as a surprise, but one of the deadliest aspects of a fire is the radiant heat that it generates. In many cases, it’s this radiant heat that causes severe burns and heat exhaustion. Your Personal Protection Blanket effectively acts as a barrier that lowers your exposure to the heat.
- Protection from ember attack: During a bushfire, embers from burning twigs, leaves and other debris can ignite fires upon mere contact. A woollen protection blanket helps shield against ember attacks, reducing the risk of ignition.
Regardless of whether you live in a bushfire-prone region of Australia or not, incorporating a Personal Protection Blanket from Creswick into your fire safety plan makes smart sense.
About Our Wool/Aramid Blankets
Creswick’s wool/Aramid blend personal protection fire blankets surpass the AS4824 standard for Wildland Firefighting, as acknowledged by the Australian Fire Authorities. We have three primary blankets in our range that include:
- The Wool Aramid DC10 blanket: Used by CFA volunteers. The DC10 is classed as a multi-use blanket; one strong enough even to use as a stretcher once it has already been through a fire.
- The R2 Wool Aramid blanket: Carried by the RFS, Fire and Rescue NSW, and Queensland Fire & Rescue Service (QFRS). This is a single-use blanket you should dispose of once it has been exposed to radiant heat or flame.
- The Wool Flame-Retardant blanket: Endorsed by the CFA as a Personal Protection Blanket to aid in flash situations. It protects against ember attack and radiant heat.
If you’re unsure as to which blanket best meets your needs, simply get in touch with Creswick’s 5-star customer service team for expert service and advice.
Aramid – What Is It?
So what is this Aramid fibre we’ve mentioned numerous times now?
Essentially, it is a high-density synthetic fibre that is purpose-built for and characterised by its exceptional strength - it boasts a higher tensile strength than spun steel - and unparalleled heat resistance.
Many aerospace and military applications use Aramid frequently due to its highly favoured properties. You’ll also commonly find it in:
- Flame-resistant and heat-protective clothing
- Ballistic-rated body armour
- Ropes and cables
- Thermal and electrical insulation
Aramid fibres demonstrate the following qualities:
- No melting point – degradation starts at 500 degrees Celsius
- Low flammability
- High tenacity
- Good resistance to abrasion
- Good resistance to organic solvents
- Non-conductive
Thanks to its distinctive blend of strength, durability, and heat resistance, it’s easy to see why Aramid stands as the go-to fibre when performance and protection are absolutely essential.
About our Personal Protection Blankets
If you want to upgrade your fire protection and safety plan by purchasing from the Creswick Personal Protection Blanket range, here’s what you need to know.
The Personal Protection Wool Fire Blanket
- 167cm x 213cm
- 1.6KG
- 500GSM
This blanket offers effective fire protection with its naturally flame-resistant wool, while still remaining lightweight. The perfect blanket for bushfire safety and emergency preparedness, it offers warmth and heat resistance in a compact, easy-to-store design.
Available in Black and Olive. Choose from 2-pack and 10-pack options for homes and workplaces.
The Personal Protection Aramid Wool Fire Blanket DC10
- 180cm x 200cm
- 3.1KG
- 820GSM
The DC10 blanket offers superior flame resistance with a blend of aramid fibres and wool. Ideal for bushfire safety and industrial use, its heavy-duty insulation protects against radiant heat. The DC10 comes in 2-pack and 10-pack options for homes and workplaces.
The RFS Personal Protection Aramid Wool Fire Blanket R2
- 180cm x 200cm
- 2KG
- 550GSM
This blanket provides greater fire resistance, combining durable aramid fibres with natural wool. Designed for bushfire safety and emergency use, its lightweight yet protective build helps shield against radiant heat. Available in red for high visibility.
Do I Still Need a Protection Blanket if I Live in the Inner City or Urban Areas?
It’s a question that comes up often enough, and certainly one worth exploring.
If you live in the suburbs or in the CBD and surrounding inner city areas, the possibility of a bushfire is something that likely doesn’t cross your mind. So, when it comes to personal protection fire blankets, you might not consider it a necessary item for you, and we certainly hope you’re never in a situation where you need one. However, being prepared brings peace of mind, and we believe every Australian should take precautions
Do You Travel Through Rural Areas?
Many Australian families love a good road trip, whether it’s for a day outing or you’re going on holiday. Many of these family travel excursions can take you through and to bushfire-prone parts of the country. Keeping a woollen blanket in your car is a simple and essential precaution during the blistering summer months of the year. It’s one of the easiest ways to protect your family’s safety as you visit these areas.
But aside from basic bushfire protection, Personal Protection Blankets also offer much-needed warmth and security should your car break down or you get involved in a vehicle accident. In these events, our blankets provide enough strength to use them as a stretcher if necessary.
By keeping a Personal Protection Blanket in your home and one in your car for extra security, you can be confident that you’ll be able to protect yourself and your family in unexpected situations.
Be Bushfire Ready: Prepare Your Emergency Kit Today
When you live in a bushfire-prone region, it certainly pays to always be well-prepared in advance. The CFA recommends having a fully stocked emergency kit ready to go as part of your bushfire survival action plan. Creswick has put together a comprehensive list of essential items that give you and your family the best chance at staying safe and comfortable should you have to evacuate quickly.
What to Include in Your Bushfire Emergency Kit
Here is everything you should have:
1. Overnight Bag
Put together a small bag with a change of clothes, essential toiletries, and personal hygiene items. If you need to leave in a hurry, you’ll have everything necessary for the first night away from home.
2. Medicines and First Aid Kit
Chances are, there is probably at least one person in your household who will need medication of some sort. In your emergency kit, include prescription medications, pain relievers, bandages, antiseptic creams, and other essential medical supplies. If you have specific medical conditions, ensure you have enough medication to last several days.
3. Important Documents and Valuables
There are key documents you may need to access depending on how the situation plays out. Gather any current wills, passports, insurance papers and property deeds. Put them together in a waterproof bag. If you have any sentimental items that you don’t want to lose, such as family photos or jewellery, include them in the waterproof bag too. It may also be worth scanning digital copies of these documents and photos as a backup.
4. Mobile Phone and Charger
Your phone might just save your life in an emergency. Keep it fully charged and pack a portable charger or power bank to ensure you stay connected.
5. Water Supply
Be sure to pack enough drinking water for every member of the household. You should have at least 2-3 litres per person per day available. It’s essential that you stay hydrated, particularly in bushfire conditions when the heat is at its most extreme.
6. Wool Blankets / Fire Blanket
A personal protection fire blanket made of a wool/Aramid blend is highly recommended as it is naturally flame resistant and offers essential warmth if you need to quickly evacuate. In the event of a bushfire, these blankets are great for protecting against radiant heat.
7. Emergency Contact Information
Put together a written list of emergency contacts, including your doctor, local council, and power company. If mobile networks go down, you’ll still have access to crucial numbers.
8. Additional Masks
Bushfire smoke can drastically affect the quality of the air we breathe. Make sure you pack P2 or N95 masks to protect yourself and your family from inhaling harmful particles.
9. Hand Sanitiser and Antibacterial Wipes
These items will help maintain hygiene when clean water is scarce, reducing the risk of infections and illness.
Once you’ve put together your bushfire emergency kit, make sure you store it in an easily accessible place. A location that is easy to reach and preferably near an exit is best, as per CFA recommendations. Make sure everyone in the household knows where it is so they can quickly grab it should you need to get out quickly.
Final Tip: Stay Prepared
A quickly escalating bushfire will leave you with very little time to collect your essentials. Regularly checking and maintaining your bushfire emergency kit, making sure everything is in suitable condition, and ensuring any essential medications are within their expiry dates is a must.
How you come out of a bushfire emergency can simply come down to your level of preparedness. Those who fare best are almost always those who have everything ready to go well in advance. It’s important that you take action today; your safety and that of your family depend on it.
For more bushfire preparedness tips, visit the Country Fire Authority (CFA) website.
At Creswick Wool, we're proud to offer Australia's largest range of natural fibre blankets. We believe in the power of natural materials to enhance your well-being and create a home you love.
Creswick is committed to providing not only exceptional products but also exceptional service. Our 5-Star Customer Service Team is dedicated to ensuring your experience with us exceeds expectations every step of the way.
Ready to discover the perfect natural fibre blanket for your home? Here's how you can connect with us:
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Visit a Creswick store: Experience the textures and warmth of our blankets firsthand. Our friendly team is ready to assist you in finding the perfect piece.
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Explore our website: Browse our full collection, read customer reviews, and connect with our 5-Star Customer Service Team online.
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