Increased fire risk with use of skin creams, sprays and lotion emollients
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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) are raising awareness of emollient use and fire risks. Emollients are creams, sprays & lotions that may contain paraffin or other products such as butter and oils.
Clothing, bedding, dressings and bandages with skin emollients dried on them can catch fire easily and cause severe and fatal burns.
Please use emollients as directed by your healthcare professional but do take care to reduce the risks:
- never ever smoke in bed
- be very cautious if smoking at other times
If your clothing, bedding / blankets are affected by emollients:
- do not sit too close to open fires, gas fires and halogen heaters
- take care when using gas or electric hobs
- be cautious when smoking
- take care when cooking with gas or electric hobs
- wash your clothes and bedding very regularly at highest temperature recommended.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has for many years been raising this medicines safety concern nationally. For more information, please visit the HIWFRS article in the link below.
