Oxygen might seem like a harmless gas because we breathe it every day. However, when oxygen is purified at high concentrations, it can become very destructive. Oxygen therapy is an important medical treatment for patients who need to have supplemental oxygen, but caution must be taken to avoid injury.
In this blog post, we will discuss 11 important safety precautions to take into consideration if you are on oxygen therapy. First, let us discuss 2 critical reasons why you should always handle oxygen carefully.
11 Safety Precautions for Using Oxygen Therapy
The following list includes at-home oxygen therapy safety DON’Ts:
- Do not go near open flames – Stay at least 10 feet away from open flames while using an oxygen concentrator or oxygen tank. Keep away from cigarettes, candles, gas stoves, etc.
- Do not use an electric razor while using oxygen therapy. They are known to put off sparks.
- Do not put on or take off clothing that is prone to static electricity while wearing supplemental oxygen.
- Do not use oil or petroleum-based products on your face while using oxygen, since they are inflammable.
The following list contains at-home oxygen therapy safety DOs:
- Keep oxygen tanks and cylinders secure at all times. If they fall over, the valve can come loose, and the pressurized oxygen may turn the tank into a dangerous missile.
- Place a non-smoking sign in your home or one in each room.
- Notify your utility providers and local fire department that you are using oxygen in your home. They can put you on a “top-priority list” in case you lose power.
- Keep the service number for your oxygen equipment nearby, in case something breaks. A good idea would be to put a sticker with the customer care number on the equipment and your first-aid box.
- Make sure your smoke detectors are all working correctly and replace them with new batteries as soon as they start to get low.
- Have a quick escape plan and a fire extinguisher handy in case of a house fire, so you immediately know what to do to prevent panic and confusion.
- When not in use, store your oxygen equipment in an area of your house that is far from any sources of heat.
2 Critical Reasons Why Oxygen Should Be Handled Carefully
All at-home medical devices have specific safety measures to avoid injury and potential tragedy. In regard to oxygen therapy, there are 2 main reasons why oxygen should be handled with a similar level of care:
Oxygen is a Fire Hazard
Oxygen itself is not flammable, but if it comes into contact with a small spark or flame and a highly flammable item, oxygen can accelerate a fire quickly. The oxygen that comes from an oxygen concentrator or an oxygen tank is of sufficient purity to become a potent fire accelerant, if not handled carefully.
Oxygen is a Medication
Oxygen in high concentrations, such as an oxygen concentrator, must be prescribed by a doctor. The dosage should not be changed, except when instructed by a doctor. Since using too much or too little can cause health complications.
While it is not possible to overdose on oxygen in the same way you can overdose on other types of medication, oxygen at high concentrations and high pressure can cause oxygen toxicity. If you receive much more than required purified oxygen at high pressure for too long, then it may cause damage to your lungs and your central nervous system (CNS). For this reason, it is crucial to ensure that you are using the oxygen flow and level as prescribed by your doctor to supplement your medical needs. If you follow your doctor’s clinical judgment regarding your oxygen therapy, you are not a risk of oxygen toxicity.
Final Thoughts
Oxygen therapy is an important treatment option for people who need additional oxygen due to a medical condition. That said, oxygen is still a form of medication and should be used with caution. By taking the steps above, you will be well on your way to using oxygen in your home safely.
Related Information
- Oxygen and Vaseline: A Dangerous Combination or a Myth?
- Oxygen User Emergency Preparedness Tips
- Preparing for Severe Weather for Oxygen Therapy Patients
Sources:
- Wikipedia.org: Oxygen Toxicity
Updated: October 9, 2023
Published: December 22, 2015
Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.
Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.
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Scott Ridlhttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/scott/
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Scott Ridlhttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/scott/
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Scott Ridlhttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/scott/
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Scott Ridlhttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/scott/
Good O2
Brother has COPD ON OXYGEN. I read that hand held fans may be soothing to someone short of breath and on Oxygen. These are batterey operated are they safe for use while on nasal canula using an oximizer at 6 percent?
You should not have any problems with using a battery operated fan while on oxygen.
Thank you and a bit confused as I use a cream on my face and I’m not sure if it has petroleum when I use my oxygen concentrator with my CPAP at night
Perhaps you mean 6 liter flow rate? O2 supplies normally run 84-100% depending on the supply unit
Can this cause sinus infection?
Sinus infections can be caused by a lot different reasons. Here is more information on Sinus infections.
I’m new to wearing oxygen 24/7 but sometimes I take it off to go outside for 5 minutes my o2 goes from 99 to72 and sometime lower wht is going on?
Hi Stephanie,
Give you physician a call to discuss if you are having questions and concerns. If you are talking about your saturation level, taking off your O2 then that number will go down. But best to call your doctor and discuss as depending on your medical condition there could be other factors. Good Luck.
This indicates you NEED the O2 supplementation all the time. Your oxigenation should ideally be 88-98%, never good below 86% , at which time your heart and other organs begin to be stressed.
I am now recovering from lung transplant and remain at 95-98% without O2. Pr ior, I was on 10 L and would occasionally drop to 72
That is why you are on it 24/7 Your lungs are not capable of supplying a sufficient amount of oxygen to your blood stream without the assist.
Can you use oil diffusers while using oxygen?
Talk to our Oxygen Specialist for a free consultation, please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.
If you take it off your body is not receiving enough oxygen to make all your organs work properly. You will start getting lite headed short of breath and won’t be able to function properly
Your on oxygen because your lungs can’t supply enough oxygen forbyour body
I am on 4 liters continuous while sitting or sleeping and depending on what I am trying to do sometimes it has to be turned up to 6 liters and if I connect 125 ft of line to weed eat or play with my dog its up to 8 liters or I get light headed my balance gets bad and I need to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before I can try to get back to what I was doing. if I am up walking, cooking or just up and around its on 6 liters
Don’t take your oxygen off no matter what
You clearly need oxygen! Your desire to not use it constantly is understandable but from 99 to 72 is a fast and clear indication to keep your oxygen on. Please, use your oxygen 24 a day. I sympathize since I am on oxygen 24 hours a day and have been since 2009. I hate the tube trailing under my feet but it is what my life is now. Better than the alternative, as my Dad used to say. Take care. Judith
Hello,
I am using a 24/7 oxygen concentrator. Is it safe for me to use an electric blanket while receiving my oxygen? I also have an extension outlet that has my electric blanket, cell phone charger on there, is this safe? Please let me know if I can continue to do this.
Thank you!
There is no harm in using these things at the same time however we do not recommend plugging them all into the same to the same extension outlet.
My mom is on oxygen and is moving in with me. I have a propane furnace. Is that safe?
In the garage might be OK
If you mean a furnace that uses propane then yes. I’m on oxygen at night & part time day with activity. We have a furnace that uses propane to heat our home with & no problems.The propane pig is outside away from the house.
Thanks for your service
My aunty saturation level is sometime 78 and some time 80…. She is discharged from Hospital …. Hut doctor says to use Oxygen…. So Using Oxygen Concentrator is safe …. So For how many days we have to use this Oxygen…. And using 1 Hour or 2 Hours daily is it sufficient right…. Pls Ans me
Tufel, we cannot offer medical advice. The duration of oxygen therapy can be determined by a medical professional. Please contact your health care provider for this.
when using an oxygen concentrator, should you keep the generator itself away from flame, or keep the person using the cannula away from flame? For instance, could they sit several feet from a fire (outside), while wearing a cannula, and the concentrator is inside the house?
Hi Jerry, oxygen from the concentrator makes it easier for a fire to spread. Both the oxygen concentrator and the nasal cannula must be kept away from any source of heat, fumes, and fire. Make sure you yourself, the tubing, and the concentrator are at least 10 feet away from the flames. I hope this helps!
My parents each use oxygen concentrator at night, on setting 2. My question is if all bedding and blankets must be 100% cotton, or if down blankets or comforters or cotton/polyester blend bedding ok in the winter? I have heard bedding should be 100% cotton, due to fire hazard. Please advise. Thank you.
Hi Susan, fabrics that have a tendency to produce static electricity and sparks should not be used while administering oxygen. Do not use bedding made of wool, nylon or synthetic fabrics (and electric blankets). The use of 100% cotton material bedding and clothes will avoid sparks from static electricity.
“Thank you for sharing such great information.
It has help me in finding out more detail about learn basic to advance oxygen therapy and administration in adults”
I am continually looking online for tips that can aid me. Thx!
I recently had to go on oxygen for most of my days. My problem is the cannula makes the inside of my nostrils very sore. If I move it out more it just falls off. There must be something I can do to make this more comfortable. Thank you
There are different types of nasal cannula available. Please try using a curved nasal cannula or a soft cannula.
Yes but it’s hard to keep them from falling out at night
Terry i always had that problem, i put tape where it
Goes in to your nose at the bottom of it and it holds it in at night. Pick up the tape like they have in the hospital it works great. Good luck.
My husband is on oxygen now & we spend time sitting out on our 4th floor apartment balcony as he can reach that far with his tubing. We both love having a candle lit while out there . I read that it is not safe for him to be near a candle flame while attached to the oxygen but he thinks I am overreacting.
Have many people been injured that way ?
We are not aware of that statistics. But we’d suggest keeping the candles 5-6 feet away from the nasal cannula.
My husband is on oxygen now & we spend time sitting out on our 4th floor apartment balcony as he can reach that far with his tubing. We both love having a candle lit while out there . I read that it is not safe for him to be near a candle flame while attached to the oxygen but he thinks I am overreacting.
Have many people been injured that way ?
My oxygen treatment began in January 2022.
This article has prompted some important questions
I have a sizable model railroad, HO Scale. The engines are powered by DC on the brass/nickel track.
– Rarely, there could be a tiny spark.
– Sometimes I clean the wheels using a DC powered brass brush connected to the g. Could be tiny sparks.
The trains are in a 40 foot circle with many routes. My power controllers are inside the many circles of brass track.
Is this dangerous for me with a Portable Oxygen concentrator? What caution do you recommend?
Thank you.
Please avoid going near sparks or areas of potential sparking while on Oxygen Therapy.
Thank you for your article. It was great
Professional and rigorous. That’s very helpful. Thank you
I was put on oxygen recently for pulmonary fibrosis of the lungs, don’t know what caused this condition but I get out of breath very easy. Even while using my oxygen concentrator on #2 setting as prescribed, I still get out of breath very easily. Is this normal? I was hoping that with the oxygen things would be better.
While sitting in my easy chair, I can do without my oxygen, I check my numbers frequently and it usually reads 95-97, but if I get up and go to the bathroom or etc., I come back and it may be down to 82-85. Don’t know what’s going on!
Experiencing some breathlessness despite using oxygen for pulmonary fibrosis is normal. It can happen due to factors like lung damage, physical activity, or disease progression. It’s essential to discuss this with your healthcare provider, who can adjust your treatment plan and provide guidance to manage your symptoms effectively. Stay proactive about your health and reach out to your healthcare team whenever needed.