Fire service relaunches emollient cream safety campaign

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) has teamed up with NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight and Community Pharmacy Hampshire & Isle of Wight to raise awareness about the dangers of emollient build-up on fabrics.

The campaign follows a similar scheme run in 2024, which saw fire safety resources distributed to hundreds of pharmacies, GP surgeries and care providers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Emollients are creams, lotions, sprays and ointments used to manage various skin conditions.

While effective for skin care, both paraffin and non-paraffin emollients can soak into clothing, bedding and dressings, increasing the risk of ignition when exposed to naked flames or heat sources.

Posters, postcards and digital resources are being shared through pharmacies, GP surgeries and partner organisations. (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service)

James Lucy, assistant director for community safety at HIWFRS, said: "Many people are unaware that both paraffin and non-paraffin emollients can increase fire risk when they build up on clothing, bedding and dressings.

"Tragically, several serious and fatal fires have been linked to emollient use, both locally and nationally.

"This is why it is so important to raise awareness of the risks and how to reduce them."

Over the past four years, seven incidents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight involving emollients have resulted in serious injury or death.

Nationally, the National Fire Chiefs Council has recorded 56 deaths in England since 2010 where emollients were confirmed to have been involved.

This year’s campaign is supported by funding from 3SFire CIC, enabling the distribution of additional resources to reach more users, carers and professionals.

Fire service and health partners have relaunched an emollients fire safety campaign. (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service)

Posters, postcards and digital materials are being delivered through pharmacies, GP surgeries and partner organisations.

Alison Freemantle, joint chief officer at Community Pharmacy Hampshire & Isle of Wight, said: "Many people obtain emollients and creams from community pharmacies, whether it’s when collecting a prescription or buying them.

"It is important people are aware of risks and how to minimise them and pharmacies are in an ideal position to help spread this message to the public."

Neil Hardy, chief pharmacist at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, also voiced support for the campaign.

He said: "We are really pleased to partner with the fire service and offer our support for this important message to help inform our patients and prevent any potential future tragedies."

For more information about emollient fire safety, visit bit.ly/Emollients2026.