LONDON, Dec. 24 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

Millions of people use emollient creams to relieve dry or itchy skin during winter. While the creams themselves are not flammable, residue from them can build up on clothing, bedding,bandagesand soft furnishings. This canmakethese materials ignite more easily and burn more rapidly if theycome into contact witha flame,cigaretteor close to heat sources like open fires, electricbar,gasor halogen heaters.

To help keep people safe this winter, the MHRA andNFCCare highlightingthree simple precautions:

1. Keep away from flames

Avoid smoking, candlesand other naked flamesand open firesif fabrics have dried on emollient products.Contaminated fabricscancatch fire quicklyand cause a fire to spread quickly.

2.Keep warm safely

Sit at least 1 metre away from open fires and heaters, sitting too close could set light to fabrics.

3.Wash bedding and clothing regularly

Wash items at the highest temperature recommended on the care label to help reduce cream build-up. Washing does not remove residue completely, so continued caution is important.

Catriona Blake, from the MHRA's Safety and Surveillance team, said:

"Winter brings warmth,comfortand more time indoors-but itcanalso bring increased fire risk.Residuesfrom emollient creamscan make fabrics burn faster than people expect. Following a few straightforward steps can prevent fires and protect lives."

ChrisBell, Emollient Lead at theNational Fire Chiefs Council, said:

"Our crews have seen how quickly fires can escalate when skin creams are involved.We'reasking everyone-especially carers, familymembersand healthcare professionals-to helpshare this message. Keep flamesand heat sourceswell awayfrom contaminated fabrics, wash fabrics regularly, and follow fire safety advice. These simple actionscansave lives."

If you or a loved one usesemollient skin creams complete an online home fire safety check for advice viawww.ohfsc.co.ukor find out more about the joint MHRA NFCC emollient safetycampaign searchKnow the Fire Risk.

Notes to editors 

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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)is responsible forregulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our workis underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. 

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The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. 

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For mediaenquiries, please contact thenewscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on020 3080 7651. 

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The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is a charity and an independent membership association and the professional voice of the UK Fire and Rescue Service. NFCC supports fire and rescue services to help them to save lives and keep their local communities safe.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.