Fire Safety Advice for Emollients

Emollients are an important and effective treatment for chronic dry skin conditions, and you should continue to use the product as advised by your doctor. There are emollients that contain paraffin and emollients that do not contain paraffin.

Risk of severe and fatal burns with emollients

There is a fire risk with all paraffin-containing emollients, regardless of paraffin concentration, and it also cannot be excluded with paraffin-free emollients. A similar risk may apply for other products which are applied to the skin over large body areas, or in large volumes, for repeated use for more than a few days.

Clothing or fabric, such as bedding or bandages that have been in contact with an emollient, or emollient-treated skin can rapidly ignite. Dried on creams make the fabric more flammable.

Wash affected clothing and fabrics daily at the highest temperature recommended by the manufacturer with plenty of detergent. This may help to reduce emollient build-up, but not totally remove it.

A Safe and Well visit is a completely free service offered by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. They will come to your home at a convenient time to see what they can do together to make you feel or the person you care for safer. Please telephone 0800 0382323 or visit the website to request a visit.

It is very important that you do the following

• do not smoke, use naked flames (or be near people who are smoking or using naked flames) or go near to anything else which may cause a fire whilst these products are in contact with your clothes, dressings, bandages, or towels
• tell your GP, nurse or pharmacist if you normally smoke. They will offer help and advice to stop smoking
• show this leaflet to other members of your household or to your carers
• ensure that your clothes, towels and bedding are changed regularly
• make sure emollients do not get onto the fabric of armchairs and other furniture, cushions or blankets
• sit at least one meter (three feet) away from open fires or heaters
• do not lean over a hot hob and roll up your sleeves, if possible, when cooking.

About this leaflet

Author: Christine Dodd, Deputy Chief Pharmacist and Medicines Safety Officer
Written: July 2020
Updated and approved: June 2024
Review date: June 2027
Edition: 2

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk