Okay, this makes sense, but I never thought of it before, and now my obsessive/compulsive mind won’t be able to let it go.
The FDA has just released a warning about using certain sprays near an open flame, such as a burning grill, campfire, bonfire, candle, lighter, or even a cigarette. Many sprays contain flammable ingredients, including alcohol. Common products include spray insect repellant, sunscreen, and hairspray. Apparently, if you spray these products close to an open flame, you end up with the equivalent of a blowtorch!
In some cases, the freshly applied product may catch fire even after it is on the skin. That happened to five people who suffered serious burns after applying spray sunscreen and then standing too close to a lit cigarette, a lit citronella candle, a grill, and–in one case–welding. The FDA says that these incidents suggest that there is a possibility of catching fire if you are near an open flame or a spark even after spraying on a flammable sunscreen—and even if you believe you have waited a sufficient time for the sunscreen to dry and your skin feels dry.
“Based on this information, we recommend that after you have applied a sunscreen spray labeled as flammable, you consider avoiding being near an open flame, sparks or an ignition source,” says Narayan Nair, M.D., a lead medical officer at FDA.
To stay safe, the FDA recommends to do the following:
Whoever thought that protecting yourself from sunburn and insect bites could be so dangerous?! Happy 4th of July, everyone, and stay safe!
To read the full warning from the FDA, click here: https://1.usa.gov/123a6ii