NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION

The leading information and knowledge resource on fire, electrical and related hazards.

Reproduced from NFPA’s website, www.nfpa.org/publiceducation. © NFPA

Medical Oxygen Safety

Portable medical oxygen in the home has grown over the past decade. Medical oxygen adds a higher percentage of oxygen to the air a patient uses to breathe. Fire needs oxygen to burn. If a fire should start in an oxygen-enriched area, the material burning will burn more quickly. Homes where medical oxygen is used need specific fire safety rules to keep people safe from fire and burns.

Safety Tips:

• There is no safe way to smoke in the home when oxygen is in use. A patient on oxygen should not smoke.
• Candles, matches, wood stoves and even sparking toys, can be ignition sources and should not be used in the home.
• Keep oxygen cylinders at least five feet from a heat source, open flames or electrical devices.
• Body oil, hand lotion and items containing
  oil and grease can easily ignite. Keep oil and grease away where oxygen is in use.
• Never use aerosol sprays containing
  combustible materials near the oxygen.