"Emollients are highly flammable and people are unaware" says Essex fire service
Essex fire service have recorded one fatality with links to emollients in 2023 but says "risk is increasing"
Essex fire and rescue service are raising awareness to "increasing risks" of emollients, like oils and lotions, that are "highly flammable" on a naked flame.
Emollients include over-the-counter products, most commonly E45 and Vaseline.
They contain the substance Paraffin, which is highly flammable, especially when in contact with clothing, dressings, or bedding.
Since 2020 there has only been one reported fatality linked to emollients, a housefire in April 2023 in Stanford-le-Hope.
But Andre Turner, fire investigations manager at Essex Fire and Rescue Service, believe cases are "under-reported".
"Emollients are used all the time adults, children, young babies and particularly the elderly for sores.
"With the ageing population in the UK, there's going to be an increase in the number of people using emollients, which increases the risk.
"If someone is cooking with a naked flame and is wearing a piece of clothing that is impregnated with an emollient, it could very easily ignite.
"It's not just from lighting a cigarette, the flame can be as far away as 7.5cm.
In the 2023 Stanford-le-Hope housefire, it is said the victim's clothing caught fire and was made worse by lotions on his skin, he died at the scene.
Essex fire and rescue service have said it's important to wash your clothes and bedsheets often, and at a high temperature, if you use emollients.
Additionally, they urge people to be careful around naked flames after applying emollients to the skin.
Essex Police offer free home fire safety visits which you can book here.