Beauty Decor Geometric Flannel Firefighter Blanket

Firefighter blankets for your home can be traditional or modern in appearance. In the first category, you can find many that feature a thin red line incorporated into the American-style flag that is printed on them.

Thin red lines on flags are associated with fire service first responders, while blue is for law enforcement. White is reserved for emergency medical services (EMS), yellow/gold for dispatchers and gray for corrections. Thin red line flags are meant to show solidarity with first responders and honor fallen and injured firefighters, so you may wish to take that into account if you decide to purchase a blanket featuring such an image.

That being said, there are firefighter blankets with other kinds of images, including U.S. flags, fire trucks, firehouses and other firefighter-related icons. These make great gifts for firefighters and anyone else who appreciates their service.

When shopping for a blanket, decide what you want to use it for. Will it be for decoration, like a throw for a couch? Or will it be kept on a bed and used nightly as you sleep? This may help you choose a particular look and can also determine what materials you desire. If you’re draping it over a sofa for aesthetic purposes, for example, you don’t really need it to be particularly warm or soft but you’ll want it to complement your living room decor.

Materials like wool and fleece provide added warmth. Alternatively, you can choose more lightweight materials like microfiber and polyester, depending on your needs. Natural fibers such as silk and cotton wick away moisture better than many synthetic fabrics and allow you to stay warm and cozy without overheating.

If you need something that is warmer and thicker for your bed, shop for bedspreads, quilts and comforters. You will have no problem finding ones with firefighter themes.

• Throws and blankets are not the same — throws are more decorative and often smaller, while blankets are typically considered parts of a bedding set.
• Check the size of the firefighter blanket before buying to ensure it will meet your needs.
• Not all blankets are machine washable, so read the label before laundering. Proper care will help your blanket last much longer.