Is Home Oxygen Therapy Safe?
My Patient Guide
Guiding you every step of the way.
"YES".........Oxygen is a safe gas, as long as it is used properly. Contrary to what most people believe, oxygen will not explode. Oxygen does, however, support combustion. Therefore, any material that is already burning will burn much faster and hotter in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. It is VERY important to follow these precautions so that you and your family are safe when using oxygen.
1.
Stay at least six feet away from open flame or heat source (candles, gas stoves, etc.) when you are using your oxygen system. For example, if you must cook while using oxygen, make sure your tubing will not touch the gas flame or electric burner. Tuck the tubing into your shirt or position it behind you.
Stay at least six feet away from open flame or heat source (candles, gas stoves, etc.) when you are using your oxygen system. For example, if you must cook while using oxygen, make sure your tubing will not touch the gas flame or electric burner. Tuck the tubing into your shirt or position it behind you.2.Do not store your oxygen system near any heat sources or open flames.
Do not store your oxygen system near any heat sources or open flames.3.Do not smoke or allow others to smoke in the same room as your oxygen system. Cigarette smoking is very dangerous. Sparks from a lighted cigarette can cause severe facial burns.
Do not smoke or allow others to smoke in the same room as your oxygen system. Cigarette smoking is very dangerous. Sparks from a lighted cigarette can cause severe facial burns.4.Post "NO SMOKING" signs in the room where your oxygen is kept and/or used.
Post "NO SMOKING" signs in the room where your oxygen is kept and/or used.5.Do not change the oxygen flow rate on your own. This can lead to serious side effects. If you feel you are not getting enough oxygen, contact your physician and notify your home care supplier.
Do not change the oxygen flow rate on your own. This can lead to serious side effects. If you feel you are not getting enough oxygen, contact your physician and notify your home care supplier.6.Never use more that 50 feet of oxygen tubing. This can dilute the concentration of oxygen that you are receiving.
Never use more that 50 feet of oxygen tubing. This can dilute the concentration of oxygen that you are receiving.7.Do not expose your oxygen equipment to electrical appliances such as electric razors, hair dryers or electric blankets, etc.
Do not expose your oxygen equipment to electrical appliances such as electric razors, hair dryers or electric blankets, etc.8.Check that all electrical equipment in the area near the oxygen is properly grounded.
Check that all electrical equipment in the area near the oxygen is properly grounded.9.Be sure to have a functioning smoke detector and a fire extinguisher in your home at all times.
Be sure to have a functioning smoke detector and a fire extinguisher in your home at all times.10.Keep the oxygen system away from aerosol cans or sprays, including air fresheners or hair spray. These products are very flammable.
Keep the oxygen system away from aerosol cans or sprays, including air fresheners or hair spray. These products are very flammable.11.Keep the oxygen system clean and dust-free.
Keep the oxygen system clean and dust-free.12.Do not use cleaing products, or any product containing grease, oils, petroleum jelly, alcohol or flammable liquids on or near your oxygen system. These substances cause oxygen to be flammable.
Do not use cleaing products, or any product containing grease, oils, petroleum jelly, alcohol or flammable liquids on or near your oxygen system. These substances cause oxygen to be flammable.13.Keep the oxygen system in a place where it will not be knocked over.
Keep the oxygen system in a place where it will not be knocked over.14.Always store your oxygen equipment in a well ventilated area.
Always store your oxygen equipment in a well ventilated area.15.An oxygen cylinder must be secured at all times. Put it in a cart or lay it down flat.
An oxygen cylinder must be secured at all times. Put it in a cart or lay it down flat.16.Do not carry liquid oxygen in a backpack or other enclosed space. Carrying cases, shoulder or hand bags, shoulder straps and backpack oxygen units are available which provide proper ventilation for the unit to ensure safety.
Do not carry liquid oxygen in a backpack or other enclosed space. Carrying cases, shoulder or hand bags, shoulder straps and backpack oxygen units are available which provide proper ventilation for the unit to ensure safety.17.Never use extension cords with any medical eqiupment.
Never use extension cords with any medical eqiupment.18.Secure loose cords and extra tubing so you do not trip on them while using your oxygen system.
Secure loose cords and extra tubing so you do not trip on them while using your oxygen system.19.Secure floor mats and throw rugs so that you will not trip or fall when using your oxygen system.
Secure floor mats and throw rugs so that you will not trip or fall when using your oxygen system.20.Be sure that doorways, hallways and rooms can accommodate you if you have a portable oxygen system.
Be sure that doorways, hallways and rooms can accommodate you if you have a portable oxygen system.21.Notify your electric power company if you are using an oxygen concentrator so that they can make your house a priority in the event of a power outage.
Notify your electric power company if you are using an oxygen concentrator so that they can make your house a priority in the event of a power outage.22.Oxygen is a drug and must be used under doctors' orders. Too much or too little can be harmful.
Oxygen is a drug and must be used under doctors' orders. Too much or too little can be harmful.23.Take precaution to avoid skin contact when filling your portable liquid oxygen tanks as frost buidlup can cause injury.
Take precaution to avoid skin contact when filling your portable liquid oxygen tanks as frost buidlup can cause injury.24.Always have a back-up tank available to know how to use it.
Always have a back-up tank available to know how to use it.
DME / Oxygen 101
DME / Oxygen
DME / Oxygen
