The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) have issued a winter advisory on emollient safety. While the creams are not themselves flammable, residue left on clothing, bedding, bandages and soft furnishings can make those materials ignite more easily and burn more rapidly when exposed to a flame or strong heat.
According to the agencies, the risk increases where treated fabrics come into contact with cigarettes, candles, open fires or heaters such as electric bar, gas or halogen units. Residue build‑up can quicken ignition and accelerate fire spread, reducing the time available to respond. The guidance is designed to reduce preventable incidents during colder months when heating and indoor activities rise.
Three behaviours are highlighted. First, avoid flames if fabrics have dried with emollient product on them. This includes not smoking and keeping candles and other naked flames away from clothing, bedding and dressings that may be contaminated. Contaminated textiles can catch and spread fire quickly, both in the home and in care settings.
Second, keep warm safely by maintaining distance. People are advised to sit at least one metre away from open fires and heaters. Sitting too close raises the temperature of contaminated fabrics and increases the likelihood of ignition, particularly where residue has accumulated over time.
Third, launder textiles regularly and thoroughly. Items should be washed at the highest temperature permitted on the care label to help reduce residue. Washing does not remove all traces, so continued caution is needed even after laundering, especially around ignition sources.
MHRA’s Safety and Surveillance team emphasised that winter habits can increase contact with heat sources and that straightforward precautions prevent avoidable fires. The NFCC added that fire crews have seen incidents escalate rapidly when emollient‑treated fabrics are involved and urged carers, family members and healthcare professionals to share the guidance.
For professionals, the ask is practical: incorporate this advice into risk assessments, care plans and winter briefings. Pharmacists, community nurses, domiciliary care teams and care home managers should ensure patients and families understand the need to avoid naked flames, maintain safe distance from heaters and wash clothing and bedding frequently at appropriate temperatures.
Further resources are available to support household checks and local messaging. Users of emollient creams are encouraged to complete an online home fire safety check via www.ohfsc.co.uk and to consult the NFCC’s Know the Fire Risk campaign for practical materials. Organisational and media contact details are provided by MHRA and NFCC for follow‑up.