Oxygen itself is a safe gas to use, and oxygen therapy provides benefits to enhance your health. If you use oxygen therapy, taking the right safety measures is essential for yourself and anyone around you. Practicing these tips will reduce your risk of accidents and injuries and ensure you get the most out of your oxygen therapy.
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1. Avoid open flames and heat sources.
Although many people believe oxygen is flammable, it’s actually not. However, oxygen does support combustion and can cause other materials to ignite. Any source of heat or flames around oxygen can cause a spark that quickly creates a dangerous fire. Generally, stay at least eight feet away from heat sources, including space heaters, candles, and gas stoves.
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2. Don’t smoke while using oxygen.
Never smoke while using oxygen therapy. Smoking while wearing oxygen puts you at serious risk for severe burns as oxygen quickly turns a small spark into a large flame. Also, don’t let anyone smoke near you. It’s a good idea to post “No Smoking” signs in your home or leave the area if necessary.
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3. Don’t wear loose-fitting clothing while cooking.
Loose-fitting clothing and long sleeves can drape down and catch fire. And once there’s a spark, you’re at serious risk of it igniting. Choose well-fitted clothing that stays out of the way.
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4. Avoid using aerosol products.
Aerosol products, like hairspray, spray deodorant, room spray, and cooking spray, are under pressure and contain chemicals, making them extremely flammable. These chemicals can ignite from a spark, so keep them away from your oxygen.
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5. Keep flammable liquids away from your clothing.
Keep any flammable liquids away from your clothing. Avoid using hairspray, oil-based skin creams, and pumping gas while using oxygen therapy. Also, use products like hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol with caution.
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6. Always keep your oxygen concentrator in a well-ventilated area.
An oxygen concentrator can quickly deplete oxygen from a small, closed-off area, so keeping it in a well-ventilated area is essential. Also, never operate your concentrator in a crowded space because it can overheat.
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7. Carry your oxygen tanks with care.
Always use care while carrying your oxygen tanks. If a tank drops, it could break, and a broken tank causes the pressurized gas to escape at full speed and become a dangerous projectile.
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8. Be careful with power cords and oxygen tubing.
Make sure you don’t trip over your oxygen tubing and power cords. Also, never use oxygen tubing longer than 50 feet, and never cut your tubing.
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9. Become familiar with your user manual and concentrator alarms.
Always look over your oxygen concentrator manual so you know how to care for your unit. Become familiar with equipment maintenance and the machine’s alarms so you’ll know how to respond when an alarm sounds or the machine requires maintenance.
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10. Preparation is key.
Knowing how to prepare for unexpected events related to oxygen therapy is vital to your health and safety.
- Always keep a fire extinguisher close by and ensure your smoke detectors work.
- Purchase a backup generator in case you lose power.
- Tell your electric company about your oxygen use so you get priority during power outages.
- Always keep backup equipment on hand, like extra fully charged batteries or oxygen tanks.
- Monitor the gauges on your oxygen tanks so your oxygen supply company can deliver more tanks in plenty of time.
Other Oxygen Safety Tips:
- Always turn off your oxygen while you’re not wearing it.
- Keep your oxygen concentrator away from walls and curtains, and don’t cover the unit.
- Do not store oxygen tanks in enclosed areas, like car trunks or closets.
- If you use liquid oxygen, always keep it upright; never lay it on its side.
- Consider using 100% cotton bed sheets if you use oxygen while you sleep to reduce static electricity.
Looking for more information?
- Call Us at 877.774.9271
- Learn About Oxygen Concentrator Store and AMSR
- Oxygen Concentrator Store Customer Service
Updated: March 15, 2024
Published: July 8, 2014
Sources:
- American Lung Association: Oxygen Therapy: Using Oxygen Safely. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/oxygen-therapy/using-oxygen-safely
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.
Kristina Diaz, RRT, is a health writer and registered respiratory therapist with over a decade of emergency and critical care experience. She earned respiratory care and journalism degrees in Michigan, where she was born and raised. She now resides in Florida, where she works as a full-time freelance writer and part-time respiratory therapist.
Kristina began her respiratory career in 2011 in Saginaw, Michigan. She now works in Lakeland, Florida, in one of the busiest emergency departments in the nation, treating people with various lung conditions, like COPD, asthma, and sleep apnea, among others. She maintains her Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification and is a member of the trauma team at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Her favorite part of being a respiratory therapist is providing relief to people struggling to breathe.
Kristina began freelance health writing in 2014, and her work is published on multiple websites, including Philips Respironics, the American Sleep Association, the Sleep Doctor, and more. She writes about lung health, sleep disorders, nutrition, and other health-related topics. Since she was a child, she’s always wanted to write, and now she gets to combine her passion for writing with the knowledge obtained from her respiratory career.
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Kristina Diaz, RRThttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/kristina-diaz/
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Kristina Diaz, RRThttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/kristina-diaz/
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Kristina Diaz, RRThttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/kristina-diaz/
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Kristina Diaz, RRThttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/kristina-diaz/
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Kristina Diaz, RRThttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/kristina-diaz/
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Kristina Diaz, RRThttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/kristina-diaz/
I am on oxygen 24-7 and live in Colorado. I am noticing when I make my bed a hear static electricity sparks. Is there danger here for me? I have placed a lot of dryer sheets in between my bedding, but I heard they are bad for you as well. Also, is an electric blanket dangerous to use as well? Thanks.
It sounds like this is just normal static electricity and therefore no danger to you. If you have further questions you may contact our customer service center at 877-303-9289.
can I spray my hair if the portable concentrator is off and in another room. Is it safe after my hair is sprayed
It is likely ok. Just make sure the room is well ventilated and you should be fine.
What can you use for cleaning
Watch our maintenance video for SimplyGo portable concentrator.
Can I use my ipad
Yes.
Can i store my oxygen tank inside my transport van, im a medical transporter for nursing home
Storing oxygen tanks in a transport van is possible, but it must be done safely and following specific guidelines to reduce potential risks.
Can I bowl if I have oxygen
Yes, bowling should be fine. Just ensure that you coil up your nasal cannula so it’s not in the way when you are going for a strike.
My infant son is on oxygen 24/7. Is it safe to pump gas while he is in his carseat? Is there any danger if my husband is grilling on the patio while my son is inside the apartment? Thank you for your help.
If you son is using a cannula and is well ventilated place and is not right next to open flames or near combustible materials, it will be fine.
20 feet! As an aircraft mechanic/ inspector with COPD on oxygen 24/7 20 foot is a minimum different!
Is it safe use aerosol sparays around people using oxygen 24/7or someone who has cancer? It’s an open room but not well ventilated and has window air conditioners.
It’s not safe to use an aerosol spray in the vicinity of an oxygen machine. Please refrain from doing it.
Wow!
Are you trying to kill us !
We can’t breathe and you want to spray us down with chemicals that stop us from breathing 😂
My father is on oxygen and in an assisted living facility. Hand sanitizer needs to be used by guests visiting his room. What is the safest hand sanitizer for them to use? Thank you
Any hand sanitizer will work as they are all alcohol based so they have the same effectiveness.
I have a e tank that I use for activity. The only heat source I have in the winter is space heaters. How much danger will I put myself in while running them all winter long? Or do I need to switch to a oil radiated heater?
Hi Cindy, keep oxygen at least 6 feet away from the heater. The oxygen and source of heat is a dangerous combination. It should be fine as long as adequate distance is maintained.
My brother is on home oxygen 24/7 . We don’t have central heating. What is best to heat a room safely.
If you are looking to use a space heater/radiator, ensure that the oxygen concentrator and tubing are at least 6 feet away from the source of heat.
My brother is on home oxygen 24/7 . We don’t have central heating. What can we use to heat a room safely.
Is it safe to use Air Wick Essentials Mist or the plug in waxing candles.My Mother will be on 24/7 oxygen.
I was wondering the same thing. If I can use air freshners in the house like plug-ins or spray? And my daughter has the mist in her room.
Plug-in air fresheners should be fine. Mist/Room humidifiers are ok to use to maintain the humidity level.
Any inflammable object (like spray) becomes dangerous when it comes in contact with a source of heat. So, keep that in mind while using such things. Stay safe.
Hello. My husband is on oxygen 16 hours a day including overnight. Soon he will be wanting to have the electric blanket on .Is that safe ?
Thanks.
Kris in Spain
We would advise against using an electric blanket while using supplemental Oxygen.
I live in an apartment and have a handicapped assigned parking spot so I can walk into my outside patio door easily and use oxygen 24 hours a day. Recently smokers moved in above me and now I fear walking into my apartment safely and feel I can not use my patio safely. Am I in danger?
Keep at least 6 feet distance from the source of smoke for safety.
My husband will be coming home with oxygen – 24/7 tomorrow. There is a power strip on the floor, next to the bed that connects 6 items – the land line phone, radio, clock, Kindle, lamp and cell phone. That 3 foot power strip cord is plugged into an outlet in the wall behind the bed’s headboard. Another separate outlet will be used to connect the oxygen which is about 4 feet from the power strip in the opposite direction. Nothing else will be connected here other than the oxygen. Is it ok to have that power strip with those items on it next to the bed as there is no other outlet nearby? Also, my daughter wants to get a helium welcome home balloon. Is this safe with the oxygen?
The power strip should be fine, just ensure that there are no sparks at the connection. That tends to happen with broken power strips/plugs.
Helium is an inert gas and is non-combustible. They won’t react under normal circumstances.
Additionally, we’d suggest keeping a small fire extinguisher in an easy-to-access place.
Thanks for checking. Have a safe celebration.
My husband is returning home from the hospital tomorrow with oxygen. We live in an RV. We cook and heat with propane. I’m worried about the open flame specifically on the stove top. If we use the propane furnace the flame is actually outside. Any advice on living with propane and oxygen?
Keep a safe distance of 6 feet between the concentrator/tank and the stove while it’s in use. And always have a fire extinguisher in an easy to access place.
If you are looking for a lightweight oxygen solution, our Oxygen Specialist would be happy to help you out with your requirements. Please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.
Can I use a power strip to turn on and off a concentrator without hurting it? I am mobility impaired and want to be able to turn the unit on and off with out having to get out of bed, but I also do not want the unit next to my bed because of the heat and sound. Not sure it that makes sense. I want to plug my unit into a grounded surge protector that I can have on my night stand and then switch the power on and off there and leave the concentrator always in the on position. Next best thing to a remote or the Clapper. Thanks.
Just make sure that you don’t power any other device from the same power strip and that the power strip is able to meet the power requirement. Also, a head’s up that if your concentrator is far, alarms (if any) may not be audible.
Can you use Salonpas for arthritis when on oxygen
We cannot give any medical advice; please consult with your physician or health care provider. They are the qualified experts to assess the condition and provide treatment.
My husband is on oxygen. Querying as to whether is safe to use a Warmool Ceramic Heater. Many thanks.
Hello Cynthia, we are not sure how safe the product actually is. However, we suggest keeping the oxygen machine and tubing at least six feet from the heater.
hi my mom is on oxygen full time now and our heat is propane how far do I keep her away from the heaters
Keep the concentrator and tubing at least six feet from the source of heat.
Can another person sleep with closed windows in a 13’ x 10’ bedroom where an oxygen concentrator is being used at night? I read somewhere that in a small space that a concentrator can use up oxygen quickly.
An oxygen concentrator is not consuming oxygen. It’s just circulating the oxygen faster. However, if you feel suffocation, you can keep the unit outside your room or keep the room door open.
I am on full time oxygen using a concentrator. I was given a Spongelle, which is a body wash infused buffer. The first ingredient is glycerin, then water, then a whole bunch of sodium things (sodium stearate, laureate, etc.) propylene, sorbitol and so forth. Can I use this product in my bath or shower?
Hello Sandra, it should be fine. Just ensure that you maintain distance from sources of heat and spark.
Can my son spray aftershave while using oxygen therapy
Using aerosol sprays like aftershave while on oxygen therapy can be dangerous and is generally not recommended. Oxygen supports combustion, making materials more flammable. When using oxygen therapy, it’s crucial to avoid open flames, sparks, and flammable materials. Please look for safer alternative such as After Shave Balm.
I am on Oxygen 24/7 using an oxygen concentrator. Can I iron clothes with the concentrator 20 feet away?
Using an oxygen therapy near heat sources, such as an iron, can pose a fire risk. Oxygen itself does not burn, but it can cause materials to ignite more easily and make fires burn hotter and faster. Therefore, it’s generally not recommended to use an oxygen concentrator near open flames or heat sources. In your situation, it’s best to follow safety precautions and avoid using the oxygen concentrator while ironing clothes, even if it’s placed 20 feet away. It’s important to prioritize safety to reduce the risk of fire hazards and ensure your well-being. You may want to try steam iron taking proper safety measures.
Thank you! I have not done any ironing unless the O2 is off. I feel better now that I have your input! Thanks!!