Oxygen safety

Using oxygen safely

Home oxygen equipment is typically stored as a compressed gas in cylinders or as an extremely cold liquid in tanks. As oxygen can make things burn quickly, it’s very important when using it that you observe these general safety precautions.

Do

• Use the oxygen only as prescribed by your doctor
• Have smoke alarms in your house
• Secure cylinders to prevent them falling over
• Turn off oxygen equipment when not in use
• Clean the equipment regularly
• Place a ‘No Smoking’ sign where you use the oxygen equipment
• Keep grease, creams, oil products, flammable and combustible materials away from oxygen equipment
• Use water-based lubricants with oxygen: consult your pharmacist for some safe alternatives
• Ensure that oxygen equipment is used and stored in well ventilated areas and away from humid or wet environments
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
• Let your clothing and bedding ventilate for 15 to 30 minutes to become oxygen-free
• Keep your oxygen tubing tucked under your shirt when cooking

Do not

• Smoke or let others smoke in your home or near your oxygen equipment
• Use oxygen equipment near electrical equipment that gets hot or can spark. Keep it at least 1.5m, or 5 feet away
• Use oxygen equipment near matches, candles, gas appliances, open flames or fires. Keep it at least 3m, or 10 feet away
• Allow others to operate the oxygen equipment without training
• Tamper with or attempt to repair your oxygen equipment yourself
• Transport unsecured cylinders in a vehicle

For further information consult your oxygen equipment’s user guide.