In January 2019 we initiated discussions with Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) following a recent MHRA Drug Safety Update regarding new information about the risk of severe and fatal burns with both paraffin-containing and paraffin-free emollients. The risk applies to all emollients whether they contain paraffin or not.
There have been 50 fire incidents (49 fatal) reported by Fire and Rescue Services across the UK between 2000 and November 2018, in which emollients were known to have been used by the victim or were present at the fire premises. Unfortunately, one of these fatalities was in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We recognised that we needed to act locally to ensure that both our patients and health and social care professionals were aware of the updated risks including expansion of the safety concerns relating to non-paraffin emollients and the steps which needed to be taken to ensure patients remain safe.
The 'Using Emollients Safely' campaign launched in October 2019 providing support and advice to the public and health professionals on the importance of using emollients safely to help prevent fire risk. This also coincided with Stoptober to ensure that patients take proactive measures to use their emollient treatments safely.
