A chilling official investigation has uncovered a hidden danger lurking in millions of British bathrooms: common skin creams are being linked to a series of fatal house fires.
The UK's Fire and Rescue Services have identified emollient products, used by millions to treat conditions like eczema and psoriasis, as a significant and growing fire risk. These creams, often containing paraffin, petroleum, or beeswax, can saturate clothing, bedding, and bandages, transforming them into highly flammable material.
The Invisible Threat on Skin and Fabrics
The danger does not come from the creams themselves catching fire easily, but from their cumulative effect. When applied regularly, the oils build up on skin, pyjamas, and bedding. If a person wearing cream-impregnated clothing comes into contact with a naked flame—even a stray spark from a cigarette or a candle—ignition can be rapid and devastating.
Once alight, the fire is exceptionally fierce and difficult to extinguish, similar to a cooking oil fire.
A Tragic Pattern Emerges
This is not a theoretical risk. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has been investigating the link after a spate of tragic incidents. Their findings are alarming:
- Between 2020 and 2023, these products were a factor in at least 53 fires across the UK.
- These fires resulted in 12 heartbreaking fatalities and 37 serious injuries.
- The actual numbers are feared to be higher, as the presence of emollients is not always recorded in fire investigations.
Those most at risk are the elderly and individuals with reduced mobility, who may be less able to escape a fire that takes hold with frightening speed.
Urgent Calls for Action and Awareness
In response to these findings, safety bodies are issuing urgent guidance. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is now working with manufacturers to improve labelling and make the fire risks clearer on packaging.
Fire services are urging extreme caution, advising users of these products to be absolutely vigilant around any source of ignition. Key recommendations include:
- Avoid smoking or using naked flames entirely.
- Keep well away from gas cookers, candles, and open fires.
- Wash clothing and bedding frequently at high temperatures to reduce the build-up of product.
This public safety warning highlights a severe and previously under-publicised hazard, urging millions of users and healthcare professionals to reassess the risks associated with these everyday healthcare products.
