ALERT: Emollient cream build-up in fabric can lead to fire deaths
Written by admin on Wednesday 19th December 2018
People who use emollient creams are being warned that residue can build up on fabrics, such as clothing or bedding, and cause them to catch fire more easily.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is recommending that labelling and product information for these emollient products should include a warning about the fire hazard, with clear advice not to smoke or go near naked flames and information about the risk of severe burn injury or death when clothing, bedding and dressings with emollients dried on them are accidentally ignited.
Update October 2020:
For more information please read the following MHRA public health bulletin:
Posters highlighting this potential risk were also shared with CPSC by East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service. The posters were intended for the use of contractors in explaining this danger to patients. The posters are available to view / print in following CPSC news article: