To think folk complaining about the fire risk in some skin creams should be more responsible for themselves

[paganmolloy]

So some of these emollient skin creams contain paraffin and if you don't wash your clothes or sheets regularly you are in greater danger of setting yourself on fire.
Well wash your clothes and sheets you manky gits and stop sneaking off for a fag in hospital where you are no doubt there smothered in skin cream for a darn good reason!!!

[RandomDent]

Apparently it doesn't always wash off sheets. But I'm with you on the fags.

[engineersthumb]

A bit harsh but overall I'm in agreement... but then I think we should remove all warning signs everywhere to improve the health of and inteligence in the nation!

[Kennington]

I guess people don't realise. Paraffin is in lots of creams because it is cheap rather than effective.

[Hulder]

It's interesting they are such a risk - but yes they don't set light to themselves, you have to introduce a flame.

So another way smoking kills.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

There have been 37 deaths. Calling people 'manky' seems a trifle insensitive.

[Kelsoooo]

To be honest, when i read about it earlier i admitted , as did DH, to the fact we hadn't even considered it as a risk. I frequently smother the girls in E45 etc and then light candles etc without washing my hands. And I would consider both myself and DH intelligent people. So the story has highlighted that much at least...

[engineersthumb]

Most of these creams won't actually burn in their pot state as they are aqueous emulsions. It's typically when you draw them into a substrate that holds a thin layer and allows the water to evaporate. A cotton sheet would be perfect. A blob on a non absorbant layer won't give up its water easily as it's suspended in the emulsion so it's pretty unlikely to readily combust even after a long time in atmosphere. Of course it depends upon the product.

[engineersthumb]

Posted to quickly! Hence lighting cancels with e45 on your hands is unlike to be dangerous.

[engineersthumb]

Candels! And unlikely!

[RJnomore1]

My mum just phoned to warn me about this. She's binned her e45. As she has never smoked abdxmy dad stopped in 1974, she's allergic to naked gas flames and refuses to have a candle in the house due to fire risk I think she's safe.

She seemed to think you put enough e45 on you spontaneously combust.

[harderandharder2breathe]

Yabu for calling people manky. If you put cream on every night are you supposed to wash the sheets every day?

I do think there's an element of people needing to take responsibility for themselves and it's easy to avoid naked flames. But then adults use them and many adults are smokers so people do need educating about the danger.

They're only a risk with flames... they don't spontaneously combust. It's easy to keep safe.