Carers and Social Workers

If you are responsible for caring for somebody who uses emollient products, such as creams, sprays, liquids or gels, your risk assessments and care provision should take into account the fire risk and fire safety advice described above.

This is especially important if the person is a smoker (internal webpage) or oxygen user, has a condition that could cause memory loss, confusion or drowsiness, or would be unable to respond if a fire started. 

You should:

• ensure that the person using the emollient product is aware of the fire risk and is provided with fire safety advice as appropriate
• ensure that risk information is shared appropriately with family members and/or others who provide care or services to the person
• put in additional control measures if the person is unwilling or unable to implement the fire safety advice. For example, if a person who uses an emollient is unwilling or unable to stop smoking, you will need to talk to them about measures such as a smoking apron or supervised smoking practice
• make sure there is appropriate smoke detection in place. In a domestic property, there should be a minimum of one working smoke alarm on every floor of the home. It may be advisable to fit additional alarms depending on risk
• advise the person you care for to test their alarms at least monthly. If they are unable to do this, test them for the person or identify somebody else who can do this at least monthly
• if they would be unable to escape without help in the event of a fire, identify an appropriate solution for raising the alarm. For example, smoke detection linked to a tele-care system

If you are prescribing or dispensing emollient products:

Those that prescribe, dispense and apply these products should tell their patients/customers about the fire risk and associated fire safety advice.

Prescribers who have switched patients to a lower paraffin product or a paraffin-free alternative should be aware that this will not reduce the risk.

If you are benefitting from oxygen therapy in your home, please follow the important advice listed below to help keep yourself safe from fire:

• never smoke, or let anyone else smoke near you, when using your oxygen equipment. Never smoke in bed
• never cook with gas or an open flame while using your oxygen equipment
• never use oxygen equipment near open fires or naked flames
• never charge or use any electrical appliances, such as electric razors, hairdryers or electronic cigarettes, whilst using your oxygen equipment

Oxygen will remain in clothing for up to 20 minutes after the oxygen equipment has been turned off. Make sure you ventilate your clothing in the open air for at least 20 minutes before smoking or going near an open flame or source of ignition. 

• never remove or tamper with the firebreaks in the tubing. A firebreak is an important safety device fitted within the tubing attached to the oxygen equipment
• ensure the oxygen equipment is stored in a well-ventilated area, kept clean, dry and away from any heat sources, e.g. gas or electric fires and cookers
• make sure you understand how to use your oxygen equipment
• turn off your oxygen equipment when not in use

For further information or advice regarding your oxygen equipment contact your supplier.

Additional advice:

• take extra care when oxygen tubing is trailing behind you and around your feet. Extra care is needed when moving around the home, especially on staircases
• ensure the oxygen tubing does not pass close to naked flames including gas fires, gas cookers and candles, or hot items such as electric cookers and electric heaters.
• if a paraffin-based or paraffin-free emollient products, such as creams, get onto fabrics, the dried residue will make the fabric more flammable. If there is any risk that your clothes, bedding or bandages are contaminated with emollient residue don't smoke, or go near naked flames, smoking materials, cookers, heaters or other ignition sources

If the person you are caring for is benefiting from a pressure-relieving device, such as a mattress or cushion, be aware that some of these devices are air filled. If the mattress is punctured and air escapes, the released air can support the spread of fire. Talk with the person you are providing care for about the associated fire safety advice, especially staying away from smoking materials, naked flames, or other ignition sources that could puncture the mattress and start a fire.

If you are benefitting from a pressure relieving device, follow these important tips to help keep yourself safe from fire:

• keep ignition sources away from your bed or device
• keep fires and heaters away from your bed or device
• if you use a mobility aid, keep it within reach of your bed or device
• use fire retardant bedding
• ensure electrical equipment is maintained and kept a safe distance from your pressure relieving device. Switch off electrical equipment and unplug at the mains when not in use.
• never smoke in bed or whilst using a pressure relieving device
• never burn candles in the room where your bed or device is kept
• never use matches or lighters near your bed or device
• never use matches or lighters near your bed or device
• never use electric blankets in combination with your pressure relieving device
• never overload electrical sockets
• never place hot items, such as hairdryers or hair straighteners, on your bed or device

If a paraffin-based or paraffin-free emollient products, such as creams, get onto fabrics, the dried residue will make the fabric more flammable. If there is any risk that your clothes, bedding or bandages are contaminated with emollient residue don't smoke, or go near naked flames, smoking materials, cookers, heaters or other ignition sources.

Medication is important in treating physical and mental health conditions. Some medication is designed to sedate, relax or induce sleep and some has side-effects such as drowsiness and this can impact on the risk of a fire starting or the person’s ability to respond to a fire or sounding smoke alarm.

If you are concerned about the effects your medication could have on your fire safety, we advise you to contact a healthcare professional, for example your GP to see whether a non-drowsy alternative is available or to review your prescription.

Please follow our fire safety advice below if you feel sleepy or drowsy after taking your medication:

• do not cook. Prepare a cold meal instead or let someone else do the cooking
• do not smoke. If you do need to smoke, smoke outdoors or standing up near a window. Never smoke in bed
• do not burn candles. Consider alternatives such as battery-operated candles
• do not sit close to fires or heaters. Sit at least a metre or 3 feet away
• take your medication in accordance with the instructions provided by your healthcare professional or on the medication label/leaflet