Safety Tips
Fire Safety
- Do not allow smoking in the home. Have a No Smoking sign in clear view for visitors. Always alert others that oxygen is present. (Because oxygen is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, many people are unaware that it is in use).
- If the person goes to a restaurant, sit in the no smoking section.
- Do not use petroleum-based ointments (like Vaseline) around the person’s nose. These ointments could cause burns in the case of a fire.
- Also avoid use of flammable products such as aerosols, hair sprays, body lotions, face creams, cleaning products and rubbing alcohol around oxygen.
- Do not use electrical appliances (such as razor, hair dryer) around the person using oxygen. Appliances could produce sparks.
- Keep oxygen containers a minimum of 8 feet away from open flame (e.g. stove, matches, fireplaces, space heaters, candles).
- Tell your local fire department and electric company that oxygen is in the home. Post a sign on your door or window.
- Make sure you have a working smoke detector and fire extinguisher in the home.
- If the person wears oxygen while cooking, make sure that the oxygen tubing does not come into contact with hot burners or pans which could cause the plastic tubing to melt.
- Keep concentrators at least 18 inches away from drapes, bedspreads, or walls which may block the inlet ports.
- Use cotton blankets and fabrics versus wool blankets and synthetic fabrics which may generate static electricity. Also do not wear nylon or woolen clothing that is more likely to cause static electricity.
- If a person wears an oxygen mask, ask the doctor if a nasal cannula can be placed temporarily, and at what rate, so that the person can eat.
Oxygen Storage and Handling
- Do not place oxygen tubing under rugs or furniture.
- Store oxygen containers upright in carts or stands provided by the home oxygen provider. Make sure they are secured to a fixed object so that they will not tip over. Option: place cylinders or tanks flat on the floor when not in use.
- Store oxygen containers in well ventilated rooms.
- Do not store paper, fabric, or plastic near an oxygen system.
- Fasten an oxygen tank upright in the car. Do not put a tank in the trunk.
Concentrator Safety
- Plug a concentrator into a properly grounded outlet.
- Do not use extension cords, power strips, or multi-outlet adapters with concentrators.
- Test the alarm system on the concentrator daily.
- Ensure the power supply or circuit meets or exceeds the electrical requirements of the concentrator.
- Tell the electric company if the person has a concentrator.
- Some people may want to invest in a generator to use as a dedicated power source for their concentrator.
Liquid Oxygen Safety
- Do not touch connectors that are frosted or icy. This can injure your skin.
- Do not touch the liquid oxygen, as this can cause frostbite.
- Keep ambulatory tanks upright; do not lay them down or place on their side.
Basic Safety
- Watch for kinks in oxygen tubing.
- The home care provider will often give you a 50-foot supply of tubing for oxygen delivery. Be careful and do not get caught in or trip over the tubing.
- Never leave home with less than half a tank of oxygen.