Know the Fire Risk: Emollient fire safety

Emollients are commonly prescribed by GPs, nurses and other clinicians over long periods of time to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and sores. Many of these products can also be purchased over the counter in chemists and supermarkets. 

Yes, they are. We encourage their use as recommended by medical professionals and by following the manufacturer’s instructions. But, it’s important for users to be aware of and manage the fire risk associated with these products, particularly when they are absorbed into fabrics.

Emollients themselves are not directly flammable, if you put a match to a sample of emollient skin product it would not ignite. 

If you smoke and regularly use emollients, you can reduce your risk.  

• Seek support to stop smoking. Speak to your GP or use NHS stop smoking services for advice and support. 

• Do not smoke while wearing clothing contaminated with emollients. If you are not ready or able to stop smoking, wearing an uncontaminated shirt, overall or apron over your clothing can help reduce the risk. Wearing an uncontaminated clothing or a smoking apron may help reduce the risk by preventing a dropped match or cigarette coming into contact with clothing. 

• Never smoke in bed. You could fall asleep while smoking, and bedding and nightwear contaminated with emollient residue can catch fire.  

• Wash contaminated clothing and bedding regularly at the highest temperature recommended by the manufacturer. Washing may reduce the build-up of emollient but will not completely remove it, so the fire risk can remain.   

• Consider additional support where needed. For someone receiving care, their individual needs and fire risk should be considered when deciding how they can smoke more safely. 

You can reduce the risk when cooking by 

•  Avoid cooking while wearing clothing contaminated with emollients, particularly when using a gas or electric hob. 

• Where possible, choose cooking methods with no naked flame and less direct heat, such as a microwave, air fryer or induction hob. 

• Consider meals that can be reheated in a microwave or do not need cooking if this helps reduce exposure to flames and heat sources. 

Take care when using candles by 

• Keep clothing and other fabrics contaminated with emollients away from candles and other naked flames. 

• Take extra care when lighting candles. Avoid using matches or lighters while wearing clothing contaminated with emollients or ask someone else to light the candle. 

• Consider using LED candles instead of candles with a naked flame. 

Reduce risk when keeping warm by

• Sit at least 1 metre away from open fires and gas, electric bar or halogen heaters. This distance is also used in London Fire Brigade’s emollient safety advice.  

• Keep soft furnishings away from heat sources. Emollient residue can transfer onto chairs, cushions and other fabric furnishings. 

• Consider using washable throws or covers on fabric seating to help prevent emollient residue building up on furniture. Wash them regularly at the highest temperature recommended on the care instructions to help reduce contamination, washing will not remove the residue completely. 

• Wash clothes, bedding and furniture throws regularly at the highest temperature shown on the care instructions. This may reduce emollient residue and the fire risk, but will not eliminate it. 

• Do not dry these fabrics on or in front of heaters. 

• If using a tumble dryer, use a cooler temperature setting and let it run through the full cycle, including the cool-down cycle. 

• Allow items to cool fully before folding or storing them so any remaining heat can dissipate.