Essential Tips for Oxygen Safety in Your Home

Home oxygen therapy is an effective way to treat many chronic respiratory conditions like COPD, long-term asthma, cystic fibrosis and more. If you’ve been prescribed home oxygen therapy from your doctor, you most likely use medical oxygen tanks or an oxygen concentrator with nasal cannula. While using oxygen therapy in your home can make everyday activities easier, there are some safety tips that should always be followed to help prevent the increased risk of fire in the home. 

1. No smoking. Never smoke or allow others to smoke anywhere near you while using oxygen therapy such as an oxygen concentrator or medical oxygen cylinder. 

2. Avoid products with oil, grease, or petroleum. These items are highly flammable and can cause a violent reaction around oxygen under pressure causing explosions and fire. 

3. 5ft or more from gas stoves, candles and heat sources. While using oxygen therapy, you should stay at least 5ft away from any open flames or heat sources.  

4. Keep oxygen away from heat sources: Oxygen can easily enhance combustion of fuel sources if it comes into contact with a spark or flame. Keep oxygen tanks and concentrators away from heat sources like stoves, candles, and space heaters.  

5. Ensure proper ventilation: Oxygen can displace the air in a room and create a fire hazard. Make sure the room is well-ventilated, and there is enough fresh air circulating. Avoid using oxygen in small, confined spaces like closets or bathrooms. 

6. Store oxygen properly: Oxygen tanks should be stored in an upright position and secured to prevent them from tipping over. Oxygen should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Do not store oxygen tanks near flammable materials like oil, grease, or cleaning supplies. 

7. Follow usage instructions: Oxygen therapy should only be used as directed by a healthcare professional. Follow the instructions for the type of oxygen therapy being used, including the flow rate, duration of use, and method of delivery. 

8. Use caution with equipment: Oxygen equipment, including masks, tubing, and cannulas, should be handled with care. Check equipment regularly for signs of wear or damage and replace any damaged equipment immediately.  

9. Keep emergency numbers handy: In the event of an oxygen-related emergency, it is important to have emergency numbers handy. Keep a list of emergency numbers, including your healthcare provider, the local fire department, and the oxygen supplier, near the oxygen source.  

Oxygen therapy can be a lifesaver for many people, but it is essential to practice oxygen safety in the home. By following these tips, you can ensure that you or your loved one can safely receive the benefits of oxygen therapy in the comfort of your own home. 

Posted By Laura Frederick in COPD, Oxygen, Oxygen Safety, Oxygen Tips

Related Posts

What is Medical Oxygen and Why Do You Need a Prescription for It?

Breathing is something most people don’t think twice about—until it becomes difficult. For those with respiratory conditions, supplemental oxygen can be life-changing. However, not all oxygen is the same. Medical-grade oxygen is a specific type of oxygen that is highly regulated, requires a prescription, and is distinct from the air we breathe. Here’s what you need to know about what makes medical-grade oxygen unique and why it requires a doctor’s approval. What Is Medical-Grade Oxygen? Medical-grade oxygen, also known as Oxygen, USP, is oxygen that meets strict purity and safety standards set by regulatory agencies such as the FDA in the United States. The term USP stands for United States Pharmacopeia, which is a national set of guidelines that defines the quality, strength, and purity of medications and health products. For oxygen to be labeled as USP, it must be at least 99.0% pure and free from contaminants and impurities that could be harmful to those using it for medical

Apr 08, 2025 Posted By Kate Wildenthaler

Managing COPD Symptoms in Colder Weather

Living with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) can be challenging year-round, but cold weather can exacerbate symptoms. The drop in temperature, dry air, and increased risk of respiratory infections can all make it harder to breathe. Here, we’ll explore tips to manage COPD symptoms during colder months and how oxygen therapy can help keep you comfortable and safe.   How Does Cold Weather Affect COPD? Cold air can irritate the airways, causing them to narrow, which makes it harder to breathe. Additionally, when the air is dry, it can worsen symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Colder temperatures also increase the risk of respiratory infections like the flu or pneumonia, which can cause further complications for those with COPD.   Tips for Managing COPD in the Cold Dress Warmly and Cover Your Face: Keeping your body warm can help reduce stress on your respiratory system. Wear layers and use a scarf to cover your mouth and nose when outside. This

Jan 22, 2025 Posted By Kate Wildenthaler

Understanding COPD and Its Impact on the Cardiovascular System

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects millions of people worldwide, and its impact goes beyond the lungs. This post explores how COPD contributes to heart problems and why managing your condition is essential for heart health.   What Is COPD? COPD is a chronic condition that restricts airflow, causing breathing difficulties. It includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, and mucus production. Key Statistics on COPD More than 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, and many more may suffer without realizing it. COPD is in the top ten leading causes of death in  the U.S., making awareness and early treatment critical for improving COPD prognosis and overall well-being.   How COPD Affects the Cardiovascular System The respiratory and cardiovascular systems work together to deliver oxygen to the body. When COPD limits oxygen intake, the heart works harder, leading

Jan 13, 2025 Posted By Kate Wildenthaler

OxyGo CEO Announced as a winner in 2020 Smart 50 Awards

              Victoria Marquard Schultz/OxyGo Announced as winner in 2020 Smart 50 Awards. The Smart 50 Awards, presented by Smart Business, honor the top 50 executives in the Greater Cleveland region Westlake, OH. – October 30th, 2020 – OxyGo LLC, a leader in lightweight portable oxygen concentrators, announced in a virtual ceremony that Victoria Marquard-Schultz, OxyGo’s CEO, was named a Smart 50 winner by Smart Business Magazine for the second year in a row. The Smart 50 Awards presented by Smart Business honor the top executives of the region’s smartest 50 companies for their ability to effectively build and lead successful organizations. “The only thing better than winning a Smart 50 is winning twice. I am truly honored to be among this prestigious group. With COVID-19 our team and providers have had to find new ways to safely and effectively adapt to an ever-changing world. Receiving this award wouldn’t

Nov 24, 2020 Posted By Brittany Fichter

Most Recent

One Million Lives Touched!

Posted By Oxy
May 21, 2026 Category: General

Did you know that through all of your hard work OxyGo has  helped over one million oxygen patients? Over the course of the last six years, our company has touched over 1,000,000 oxygen patients lives! Whether with an OxyGo unit, one of our accessories, or an Applied Home Healthcare transfilling product - over 1,000,000 oxygen patients have used one of our company's products.   To celebrate this amazing feat, we are going to have a series of celebratory events over the remaining year. To kick off our celebration, we will have a companywide luncheon on June 24th. It will begin at 11:30 AM EST, with a simulcast of a presentation from the former CEO of Inogen and our company leadership. After the presentation we will have box lunches available for team members to enjoy together or socially distanced depending on your vaccination status. Further celebrations are in the works, but save the date for October 27th for our OxyGo impact awards where we will be recognizing suppliers and having a big celebration to recognize this

2019 Smart 50 Awards (Clone)

Posted By Brittany Fichter
May 21, 2026 Category: News, POC, Award, Ceo, Cleveland, Smart50

Victoria Marquard Schultz/OxyGo Announced as a winner in 2019 Smart 50 Awards

Example Blog Post (Drafts)

Posted By Oxy
May 21, 2026 Category: General

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna

A Note About Accessibility:

This site is under review to determine what aspects of our site do not perform to standards set by the WCAG 2.0 level AA for website accessibility. We are working diligently to bring our site up to this accessibility standard. If you are unable to access any features or content during this review, please contact info@oxygo.life. Your feedback will assist our company in providing the desired information to you via a different method.

©   OxyGo HQ Florida, LLC.   All rights reserved.  Site by Premier Designs.