Is hand sanitiser flammable? Drivers warned after fires started by hand gel in hot weather

Police in Manchester and the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service warned of a number of reports of alcohol-based hand sanitisers being the cause of vehicle fires in the UK.

It is thought that the fires are caused by hand sanitiser becoming heated, resulting in flammable vapours being released.

The vapours then ignite once they reach their 'flashpoint' before setting fire to flammable materials in the vehicle.

Greater Manchester Police shared a picture of a car devastated by a fire and said: "There has been a number of reports of alcohol-based hand sanitiser being the cause of fires in vehicles.

"We're asking people not to leave hand sanitiser in vehicles, particularly during the upcoming heatwave."

The Fire Industry Association has also sent a letter to NHS staff warning them of the danger.

The warning said: "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 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 letter advised motorists to remove all alcohol-based sanitiser products from vehicles when they are not occupied.

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