Fire Hazard with Paraffin Based Skin Products

on Dressings and Clothing

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) is alerting all healthcare staff involved in the prescribing, dispensing or administration of paraffin based skin products of a potential fire hazard. Bandages, dressings and clothing in contact with paraffin based products, for example White Soft Paraffin, White Soft Paraffin plus 50% Liquid Paraffin or Emulsifying ointment are easily ignited with a naked flame or cigarette. Following a reported death, the NPSA commissioned the Health and Safety Executive to undertake fire hazard testing with White Soft Paraffin on a variety of bandages, dressings and clothing. The results showed the ability to reproduce the fire hazard in a controlled environment. This risk was not previously well recognised; and the NPSA is alerting the NHS to this risk. Further information and supporting materials (poster, patient information leaflet and videos of fire hazard testing) concerning this

Rapid Response Reports are available at: www.npsa.nhs.uk/health/alerts

For IMMEDIATE ACTION by the NHS and the independent sector. The deadline date for ACTION COMPLETE is 26 FEBRUARY 2008

The following actions should apply to all patients in all settings being dispensed, or treated with, large quantities (100g or more) of paraffin based products:

Information should be given about the potential fire risks of smoking (or being near to people who are smoking), or exposure to any open flame or other potential cause of ignition during treatment; and about regularly changing clothing or bedding impregnated with paraffin based products (preferably on a daily basis) as the paraffin soaks into the fabrics and can potentially be a fire hazard.

This information should be given on the first occasion that such treatment is prescribed, dispensed or administered by a healthcare professional and a record kept confirming that such advice has been given. A check should be made on subsequent occasions that the advice has been received previously and understood.

Fire safety information should be displayed prominently in every clinical area where patients may be treated with large quantities of paraffin based products.

If, against advice, a hospitalised patient intends to leave the ward to smoke, they should be informed of the risk and advised to wear a thick outer covering that has not been contaminated with paraffin based products.

Relatives or carers should be informed if a patient does not comply with safety advice.

The NPSA has informed:

All acute sector and Primary Care NHS organisations, the MHRA, Independent Healthcare Advisory Services, Royal Colleges, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Health and Safety Executive.

Further NPSA action

We will continue to monitor any incident reports involving paraffin based skin products which are reported to the NRLS.