The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) have issued a winter safety advisory on emollient use, published on 24 December 2025. The notice reiterates that while skin creams are not flammable, dried residue on clothing, bedding, dressings and soft furnishings can ignite quickly. The agencies highlight three actions: avoid naked flames, sit at least one metre from heaters and open fires, and launder fabrics at the highest temperature permitted-recognising that washing does not remove residue completely.
The hazard arises once emollients transfer from skin to textiles and dry. Tests and incident analysis show that contaminated fabric ignites faster and burns more intensely; this applies to paraffin‑based and paraffin‑free products. MHRA advises continuing treatment for skin conditions while taking precautions, with clear counselling to avoid smoking and other ignition sources around potentially contaminated fabrics.
Fire services report the greatest risks where large quantities are used regularly, among people who smoke, individuals with limited mobility, those living alone, and people receiving care. Fires have escalated when cigarettes, candles or heaters contact contaminated clothing, bedding or dressings, underscoring the need for routine household and care‑setting checks.
Care providers and commissioners should treat emollient use as a defined risk in assessments and care plans, including smoking assessments, laundering routines, staff training and supervision arrangements. Failure to manage known risks has resulted in enforcement: in January 2022, Bupa Care Services (ANS) Ltd was fined £937,500 plus costs after a resident died following a smoking‑related fire where emollient use had not been properly assessed under the Fire Safety Order.
Regulatory context is established. In December 2018 the Commission on Human Medicines advised that all leave‑on emollients should carry prominent fire‑hazard warnings, with updates to patient information and Summary of Product Characteristics. The same Drug Safety Update referenced 50 fire incidents (49 fatal) in England between 2010 and November 2018 in which emollients were present, while noting multiple confounding factors.
Awareness materials have been available since July 2020, when MHRA-working with NFCC and health charities-launched a campaign and toolkit for clinicians and local services. Resources include patient leaflets, posters, alert stickers and a presentation pack for staff briefings; these remain downloadable for adaptation by NHS providers and Fire and Rescue Services.
For households this winter, national guidance is consistent: continue prescribed emollient regimens but keep contaminated fabrics well away from stoves, hobs, candles, cigarettes and heaters. Maintain at least a one‑metre clearance from heaters and open fires and remember that laundering reduces but does not eliminate residue.
Practical measures extend beyond washing. NFCC advises against drying potentially contaminated items on or in front of heaters and notes that items removed from a tumble dryer should be allowed to cool fully before folding. Consider washable throws on fabric furniture and wash them frequently, and keep contaminated textiles distant from ignition sources at all times.
People using oxygen therapy, and those who smoke, warrant particular caution. NHS and fire safety guidance recommend avoiding ignition sources altogether when wearing clothing or using bedding that may carry residue, and discussing risk‑reduction steps with healthcare teams if oxygen equipment is present.
Signposting is clear. MHRA and NFCC point the public to the Online Home Fire Safety Check (ohfsc.co.uk) for tailored advice and referrals to local services. Clinicians, pharmacists and carers should also report suspected emollient‑related fire incidents via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme to support national surveillance and ongoing labelling and education efforts.