Using Oxygen Safely at Home
There are some things you should know about your equipment if you have oxygen at home.
Oxygen is actually a very safe gas. It is not flammable on its own, and it is not explosive. Oxygen supports burning. This means in the presence of something that is already burning, oxygen will make it burn hotter and faster. Accidents in the home are rare if a few common-sense safety rules are followed when using oxygen.
1. Do not smoke or allow others to smoke near you.
2. Stay at least 10 feet away from open flames or other heat and ignition sources.
3. Do not use flammable products, such as aerosol sprays, paint thinners, gasoline, or oil-based lubricants while using oxygen. Do not use oil-based or petroleum-based cosmetics, lotions, or lip balms. These products can react with oxygen and cause a fire resulting in serious personal injury or death. It is safe to use water-based products.
4. Secure your cylinder on a stand, rack or cart so that it cannot be knocked over. Store cylinders in well ventilated areas. Do not store cylinders in your car, and always open your car windows when traveling with a cylinder. Do not keep a cylinder under bed linens, behind curtains, in closets, or under clothes. If these items become oxygen-enriched, a spark could cause a fire.
5. Never change your flow rate without your doctor’s permission.
6. Keep a fire extinguisher in your home, and notify the fire department that you store oxygen at your home.
7. Place the sign given to you by the medical equipment company on the door of your house or in a highly visible window to alert fire department members that oxygen is stored and used in your home.
8. Never use your medical oxygen cylinder for anything other than medical oxygen.
9. Contact the medical equipment company when planning a trip. They can supply information on providing and replenishing your oxygen supply during the trip.
10. Call ahead and ask airlines and other transportation services how medical oxygen can be supplied or transported during a trip.
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11. To avoid accidents, ask visitors to be careful around tubing, and tell them about cylinder safety rules.
12. Keep your children and pets away from your oxygen equipment at all times.
Care & Maintenance for Medical Cylinders
Always: 
Keep your cylinder dry and free from oil, dirt or other contaminants. 
Keep the outside of your cylinder clean using a dry, lint-free cloth. Do not use detergents. 
Have your cylinder and attachments serviced and maintained by your local supplier in accordance with approved specifications. 
Store cylinders away from all heat sources and flammable substances. 
Secure the cylinder on a stand, rack or cart. Never: 
Never allow your cylinder to roll free, especially when traveling. 
Never drop or strike your cylinder.

Never expose your cylinder to heat sources such as fireplaces, heaters or radiators.

Never alter or modify your cylinder in any way.

Never store cylinders in a car trunk, in a closest, under a bed or in other confined, unventilated areas. Dev. 6/07, rev. 3/10, 2/13
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©Mount Carmel 2013
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