Pauline Taylor
21 Jul 2017 · Coroner Mary Burke · West Yorkshire (West)
A similar concern from this report was raised again 3 times later. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. low level of paraffin in emollient creams
“Zerobase and other emollient creams which contain a low level of paraffin pose a potential fire hazard risk”
2. lack of fire hazard warnings on product packaging
“Warnings of such risks are not displayed on all product packaging”
3. lack of awareness among health care professionals
“Health care professionals both in a hospital and community setting may not be aware of the potential fire hazard posed by emollient creams which contain a low level of paraffin”
4. lack of verbal warning to public
“Members of the public are able to purchase emollient creams across the counter but are not verbally made aware of the potential fire hazards of emollient cream containing a low level of paraffin”
5. lack of alerts to private care providers
“Private companies who provide carers in the community do not receive alerts with regard to medicines and medical devices which could impact on the risk assessments and the manner in which carers working in the private sector provide care”
6. lack of awareness in care homes
“Care homes (in both the local authority and private sector) who provide residential/nursing care may not be aware of the potential fire hazard risk of emollient creams which contain low levels of paraffin”
Linked reports
Identical hazardConfidence 0.90 · high
This report
“(2) Warnings of such risks are not displayed on all product packaging.”
Later report
“e Warnings of such risks are not displayed on all product packaging”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
This report
“Zerobase and other emollient creams which contain a low level of paraffin pose a potential fire hazard risk.”
Later report
“Evidence given by fire investigators was that they are increasingly attending fires involving (mostly) the elderly where there is evidence of petrol based emollient cream in use.”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
This report
“(4) Members of the public are able to purchase emollient creams across the counter but are not verbally made aware of the potential fire hazards of emollient cream containing a low level of paraffin.”
Later report
“Mr [name redacted] was prescribed an emollient cream which carers would apply to his legs. This cream had a paraffin base. A fire investigator opines the cream may have over time soaked into bedding and the carpet near his bed as, well as its presence in its container, once the fire started allowed the fire to spread.”
Responses
2017-0330-Response-by-MHRA.pdf ↗· Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Stated action · end of 2017
“We aim to have completed our review by the end of 2017 and will consider the need for publication of any additional safety advice at this time in conjunction with our medicine colleagues.”
2017-0330-Response-by-NHS-Improvement.pdf ↗· NHS England
2017-0330-Response-by-PAGB.pdf ↗· Thornton and Ross Ltd
Stated action · 30 September 2017
“PAGB and its member companies recognise that clear information needs to be made available to warn of the risk of increased flammability of clothing and bedding which has been in contact with paraffin-containing emollients.”