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The NHS is warning its staff and the general public to remove hand sanitiser from cars this week as a heatwave hits the UK.
In a document posted online, the NHS explains that alcohol-based sanitiser can become a fire risk when combined with high temperatures and the flammable elements in a car.
“We have received a number of reports of hand sanitiser being the cause of fires when left in vehicles in the hot weather the UK is currently experiencing,” the document says.
“The alcohol hand sanitiser is becoming heated resulting in flammable vapours being released. These vapours are reaching their ‘flashpoint’ and then ignite in normal air conditions, setting fire to flammable components within the car.”
The notice was reportedly issued to NHS staff, but has since been shared with the public on Twitter by official local NHS pages, including NHS Bedfordshire CCG, NHS East Lancashire CCG and NHS Blackburn with Darwen CCG.
The document reminds everyone that when temperatures reach 25°C outside, an internal car temperature can hit 55°C. With highs of 31°C expected in some parts of the UK this week, it’s certainly worth paying attention to.
While some online have questioned the validity of the photo and message shared by the NHS, asking whether it shows a real car fire caused by hand sanitiser, others have confirmed this could happen.
Experts at CE Safety, which runs occupational health and safety courses throughout the UK, have echoed the concerns.
“With the weather getting warmer, rising temperatures can cause the alcohol in the sanitiser to evaporate, and this can result in flammable vapours being released,” CE safety said in a press release. “These vapours are reacting at their ‘flashpoint’ and then can ignite in normal air conditions setting fire to flammable components within the car.
“On a very hot day, significant pressure could also build up inside a bottle of hand sanitiser, causing it to rupture. There have been examples of hand sanitiser bottles which had been left in a hot car exploding.”
When Brits open the cap of the bottle, it could explode and shower the public with high proof alcohol gel.A spokesperson from CE Safety added: “Our advice is to remove alcohol-based hand sanitisers when the British public leave their cars.”
