Safe use of emollient products

To stay safe and avoid the emollient products you are using becoming a fire hazard, please follow these simple tips on what not to do.

Don’t smoke or allow others to smoke in your home.  A cigarette can act as an ignition source near furniture, bedding or clothing which may have been contaminated with emollient products, which soak into material making it flammable.

Don’t use naked flames such as matches, lighters and candles anywhere near clothing or bedding if there is any chance it has become contaminated with emollient products, which soak into material making it flammable.

Don’t cook if there is any chance that the clothing you are wearing is contaminated with emollient products.

Don’t allow any oxygen equipment, including mask or nasal cannula to come into contact with any emollient products. As emollients act as an accelerant, the risk of fire is increased when an emollient is used with oxygen therapy, therefore, please take care.

These tips will help you to minimise the fire hazard when using emollient products. Use these in conjunction with the above to stay as safe as possible.

Change and wash your bedding frequently, preferably daily, on the hottest wash recommended by the manufacturer. This may reduce the build up of emollient on your bed linen but does not remove it completely so the risk may remain.

Change and wash your clothes frequently, preferably daily, on the hottest wash recommended by the manufacturer. This may reduce the build up of emollient on your clothes but does
not remove it completely so the risk may remain.

Ensure your furniture is washable or can be wiped down regularly, this can help to avoid it becoming saturated with a build up of emollient but may not remove it completely so the risk may remain.

Share this information and advice leaflet with your family, carers and friends – if you make them aware you are using emollients and of the fire risk that may pose, they can help to keep you safe too.