MHRA and fire chiefs warn on winter emollient fire risk

Dry winter air makes skin itchy, so many of us reach for emollient creams. They’re effective and widely used. But the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) - which represents UK fire services - say there’s a hidden fire risk we need to understand this season.

The creams themselves do not catch fire. The issue is residue left on fabrics - pyjamas, bedding, bandages, dressing gowns and soft furnishings. Over time those oils can make materials ignite more easily and burn faster if they meet a flame, a cigarette or heat from an open fire, electric bar, gas or halogen heater.

Start with the simplest habit: keep away from flames. If clothing or bedding has been in contact with skin creams, avoid smoking, candles and open fires. When fabrics are contaminated, a tiny spark can become a fast‑moving fire before you’ve had time to react.

Next, keep warm safely. Sit at least one metre from open fires and heaters; an arm’s length is a useful guide. Getting too close can set light to treated fabrics with little warning, especially when you’re drowsy or dozing on the sofa.

Then keep the wash cycle regular. Use the highest temperature on the care label to help reduce build‑up on clothes and bedding. Washing will not remove the residue completely, so stay cautious even when items look clean and fresh.

In shared houses or halls, the routine is straightforward: put on creams after candles are out, avoid drying treated clothes over heaters, and keep lighters and matches well away from pyjamas or bandages that have soaked up product. Small choices in the evening make a big difference overnight.

For carers and families, build safety into everyday care. Rotate bedding and clothes so items don’t go through many applications between washes, check chair covers and throws, and talk through the one‑metre rule with the person you support and their visitors. If anyone smokes, make sleeping areas strictly smoke‑free.

MHRA safety lead Catriona Blake stresses that winter comforts can bring extra fire risk and that a few straightforward steps prevent harm. NFCC emollient lead Chris Bell says crews have seen fires escalate quickly when creams are involved, urging carers, families and healthcare staff to share the advice - keep flames and heat away, wash fabrics often and follow local fire safety guidance. As Bell puts it, “These simple actions can save lives.”

If you or someone you support uses emollient creams, you can complete a free Online Home Fire Safety Check at www.ohfsc.co.uk for tailored advice. The NFCC’s Know the Fire Risk campaign also shares practical guidance you can pass on to friends, students and neighbours.

We want you to stay warm and well this winter. Keep the warmth and lose the risk: no flames near treated fabrics, a one‑metre buffer from heaters, and regular hot washes within the care label. Share the message at home, in classrooms and in care settings so someone you know avoids a preventable fire.