WASHINGTON – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning that you could catch fire by wearing certain sunscreens and standing too close to flames.
There have been five separate incidents involving people wearing Banana Boat sprays suffering significant burns, according to the FDA. The causes of ignition involved lighting a cigarette, standing too close to a citronella candle, coming up to a grill and welding.
The sprays involved have been recalled from the market, but the FDA says many other suncreen sprays — and possibly non-spray sunscreens — may contain flammable ingredients like alcohol. Similar problems can be posed by hairspray and insect repellent.
Officials recommend applying sunscreen away from a flame source and avoiding an open flame, sparks or ignition source while wearing it.
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