Because supplemental oxygen is an important part of your home healthcare program, there are certain precautions to understand and employ
to insure safe use. Although oxygen is a safe gas that will not burn or explode, it, like heat and fuel, is a key ingredient for supporting
combustion. Therefore, care must always be exercised in the presence of higher-than-normal levels of oxygen.
Open Flame
Never permit open flames (candles), lit smoking materials, or spark-producing equipment in the same room as your oxygen system. NEVER SMOKE WHILE USING Y0UR
SYSTEM OR ANY SOURCE OF HIGH CONCENTRATION OXYGEN.
Flammable Materials
Keep all flammable materials away from your oxygen system. Never use hand lotions, hair sprays, or other flammable aerosols or products unless you are ten feet or more away from your system.
Oxygen Tubing
Use caution not to kink the oxygen tubing or lay objects on it that could restrict the oxygen flow. Do not permit moisture buildup from the humidifier to collect
in a bend and therefore limit the flow of oxygen to you.
Direct Heat
Never allow the oxygen tubing to make direct contact with stove elements, heaters, or other sources of excessive heat.
Location
Position your system in a location that is not only convenient, but safe. Never locate oxygen equipment near radiators, hot air registers,
or space heaters.
If You're Using Cylinders...
Large oxygen cylinders can tip and cause injury. Make certain they are set into an anti-tip base and be careful someone doesn't trip and fall against a large cylinder and cause it to tip.
If You're Using Liquid Oxygen...
Never store liquid oxygen in a confined, non-ventilated area such as a closet. Always position it in a large, well-ventilated space.
Remember that oxygen in a liquid state is chilled to just under - 300°F. Contact with either the liquid oxygen, cold gas, or with any frosted part of the system can result in frost burns to the skin.
To avoid spillage, keep the liquid container upright at all times. If a spill occurs, open windows and doors to ventilate the room. Should skin contact occur,
immediately rinse the contact area with cool water.
If you're Using a Concentrator...
An oxygen concentrator uses electricity to draw in room air and create high oxygen concentrations. Avoid using
extension cords with your concentrator to prevent accidental tripping. Also refer to the section on electrical safety.
Electrical Safety:
If you're using an oxygen concentrator or other electrical medical device, the following cites the three most common
problems related to electrical safety:
The use of extension cords connected to multiple receptacles can easily overload electrical circuits. The result: blown fuses or open circuit breakers,
disrupting your power. Of even greater concern, overloaded circuits can create excessive heat that could result in an electrically-induced fire.
Refrain from using multiple receptacles. Limit the use of extension cords, and also be aware of the trip hazard exposed extension cords create.
Overload Protection
Many older residences may still use fuse boxes rather than the more modern circuit-breakers. Should fuses "blow" due to overloaded circuits, NEVER INSERT A FUSE THAT EXCEEDS THE CURRENT RATING FOR THAT CIRCUIT.
Should fuses or circuit breakers continue to open, remove some electrical devices from that circuit. In fact, it's a good idea
to remove as many electrical items as possible from circuits to which medical equipment is connected. If in doubt, contact a
qualified electrical contractor.
