At the end of July 2020, the MHRA, in partnership with the National Fire Chiefs Council and others, launched a campaign to raise awareness of the risk of severe and fatal burns arising from the use of emollients to treat dry skin conditions. Although the risk has been known about for many years, this campaign has provided new resources that make the risks clearer and offer practical advice on how to minimise them. 

Problems arise when emollient residues build up on fabrics (e.g. clothing, bedding) resulting in an effective fire accelerant that can increase the speed of ignition and intensity of the fire. This accelerant effect significantly reduces the time available to act to extinguish the fire before serious and fatal burns are sustained. The details are set out in a Drug Safety Update and a guidance document and video aimed at patients.

Emollients are an effective component of treatment for eczema and other skin conditions, so it is important that patients are properly informed about using them safely and not frightened of using them, as this may lead to non-adherence. Patients should be asked if they normally smoke so that safety advice can be reinforced and smoking cessation advice offered. A patient information leaflet covers the practical points.