Skin creams

Skin creams used to manage a variety of skin conditions which may include dry skin, eczema, psoriasis and more, are medically known as emollients. If you use emollient creams however, it is important to use them safely, especially if you spend long periods of time in bed or an armchair due to illness or impaired mobility. 

These creams can pass from your skin onto your clothing, bandages and bedding. Fabrics with emollient cream on them can then catch fire more easily and quickly, burning hotter than fabric without cream on it. In severe cases this can result in serious burns or even death. 

When using emollient creams:  

• stay away from any form of naked flame 
• avoid smoking 
• do not go near anyone who is smoking or using a naked flame  
• when wearing clothes or dressings, or using fabrics such as towelling or bedding that have been in contact with emollient creams, keep away from anything that may cause a fire, including heat sources such as electric or open fires, gas or halogen 
• if it is not possible to do so, ensure you reduce your risk by, for example, using a flameless lighter, not cooking when wearing long sleeved or loose clothing, avoid sitting near fires and heating sources 

Clothes and bedding 

Wash fabrics including bedding frequently - daily if possible - at the highest temperature recommended by the manufacturer with plenty of detergent, as emollients soak into fabric. Please be aware however, this may reduce the amount of emollient cream on the fabric but will not remove it completely and it may remain dangerous. 

Furniture and soft furnishings 

Avoid emollient creams getting onto fabric furniture or soft furnishing when sitting or lying down. 

If you smoke 

Avoid smoking if you use emollient cream.  Guidance on the safe use of emollient skin cream  can be found on the .Gov website. You can find further information on the dangers of smoking when using emollient creams provided by the National Fire Chiefs Council