IN CASE OF QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE DEVICE
MANUFACTURER OR THE SERVICE PROVIDER WHO SET UP
YOUR DEVICE FOR YOU.
Presented by
This information is provided by the German Hightech Industry
Association SPECTARIS.
Further documents and advice about the risk of smoking while
using oxygen please find here:
www.spectaris.de/brandrisiko
Risk of fire when using oxygen
concentrators while smoking
IMPRINT
German Hightech Industry Association
Werderscher Markt 15
D-10117 Berlin
Germany
Phone +49 (0)30 41 40 21 - 0
Fax
+49 (0)30 41 40 21 - 33
[email protected]
www.spectaris.de
Important warnings when using your oxygen
concentrator Protect yourself and those around you!
Every year a large number of people die in Europe because they
smoke during oxygen treatment. Many others suffer severe burns
to the face, hands and body. Not only is the life of the smoker at
risk but entire apartments and houses have burned down as a
result of smoking during oxygen treatment. Relatives, neighbours
and friends who were close by have also been severely injured or
died in these fires.
SMOKING AND OPEN FIRES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED
NEAR OXYGEN! THERE IS AN EXTREMELY HIGH RISK OF
FIRE AND DANGER TO LIFE!
Erwin M. lit a cigarette during his oxygen therapy despite insistent
warnings when the device was installed and the clear warning
information on the device and in the operating instructions.
Suddenly a darting flame hit him in the face and burned his skin
and hair in an instant. Erwin M. cried out in pain. The fire spread to
Erwin’s clothing; his body was in flames. The fire devoured its way
along the oxygen tubing through the entire apartment engulfing
everything in its path. The flat
burnt out completely and Erwin
M. died as a result of his serious
burns three days later.
BACKGROUND
PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS DON‘T SMOKE WHILE USING OXYGEN!
During oxygen treatment, there is an inevitable enrichment of oxygen
around the patient, especially close to the head. This means that not
only the patient‘s hair, beard and clothing becomes highly enriched
with oxygen but also cushions, blankets, upholstery or other flammable
material in the immediate vicinity.
As a result, just a small spark is sufficient to ignite these oxygensaturated materials. Lighting a cigarette in this situation is life threatening. Once ignition has taken place, the fire will spread along the
oxygen supply tube very quickly, setting alight everything in its path,
e.g. beds, furniture, carpets, curtains etc., as the oxygen intensifies
the process of burning.
These accidents usually lead to severe burn injuries of the patient or
even death. Furthermore, they endanger the patient’s surrounding
environment.
THE ENRICHMENT OF OXYGEN ALSO REMAINS FOR A LONG
TIME AFTER SWITCHING OFF THE OXYGEN DEVICE. DUE TO
THIS REASON, THERE IS AN ELEVATED RISK OF FIRE IN THE
AREA AFFECTED BY THE INCREASED LEVELS OF OXYGEN AND
THE SMOKING BAN STILL APPLIES. SUFFICIENT VENTILATION
SHOULD ALWAYS BE ENSURED AND SMOKING SHOULD ONLY
TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE THE BUILDING OR AFFECTED AREAS.
© LKA NRW
Quelle: LKA NRW, room of the deceased patient
www.spectaris.de/brandrisiko