Fire risk prompts recall of sunscreen

The maker of Banana Boat sunscreen is recalling some half-million bottles of spray-on lotion after reports that a handful of people have caught on fire after applying the product and coming in contact with an open flame.

Energizer Holdings said Friday that it is pulling 23 varieties of UltraMist sunscreen off store shelves due to the risk of the lotion igniting when exposed to fire.

The recall includes aerosol products like UltraMist Sport, UltraMist Ultra Defense and UltraMist Kids.

A company spokesman said there have been five reports of people suffering burns after using the sunscreen in the last year. Four burn cases were reported in the U.S. and one in Canada.

More than 20 million units have been sold since UltraMist launched in 2010, the spokesman said.

The problem appears to be caused by UltraMist’s spray valve, which is over-applying the product, Energizer said in a statement.

“If a consumer comes into contact with a flame or spark prior to complete drying of the product on the skin, there is a potential for the product to ignite,” the company said.

UltraMist’s label warns users: “Keep away from sources of ignition – no smoking.”

But dermatologists say most people don’t read such labels.

“So many people put this on outside, while they’re on their way to activities, so I just don’t think people are aware of that,” said Dr. Michele Green, a dermatologist from New York.