Using Oxygen at Home: Your Safety Guide
Medical-Surgical · Respiratory / Pulmonology
Oxygen is a medicine that helps your body get the oxygen it needs. It also makes fires start faster and burn hotter, so safety matters.
Use the right amount
- Your flow: ________ liters per minute. Hours a day: ________.
- Do not change the flow unless your provider tells you to.
- Too much oxygen harms some people with lung disease.
Keep fire away
- No smoking or vaping in your home, by anyone.
- Keep oxygen at least 10 feet (3 meters) from flames, gas stoves, candles, and fireplaces.
- Put "No Smoking: Oxygen in Use" signs on your doors.
- Keep your smoke alarms working.
Care for your skin
- Do not use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or oily creams on your lips or nose. Use a water-based gel.
- Check behind your ears and inside your nose every day for sore spots.
- Pad the tubing over your ears if it rubs.
Stay safe at home
- Keep tubing out of walkways so you do not trip.
- Keep tanks upright in a stand or cart, away from heat.
- Plug your oxygen machine straight into the wall, not into an extension cord.
Plan for power outages
- Tell your power company and fire department that you use oxygen.
- Keep a full backup tank. Keep your supplier's phone number by the phone.
Call your provider today if you have
- Headaches in the morning or unusual sleepiness during the day
- More shortness of breath during usual activities
- Sore or red skin behind your ears or in your nose
Call 911 or your local emergency number if you have
- Severe shortness of breath after you check your tubing and tank
- New confusion, or you are hard to wake up
- Blue or gray lips or fingertips
- A fire. Get out of the home first, then call.