Home oxygen therapy is prescribed for some patients who have low oxygen in their blood and need more oxygen than is available from room air alone.

Extra safety precautions must be taken when you have oxygen at home, as oxygen supports combustion and is a fire accelerator. Follow these rules when using your home oxygen therapy to stay safe.

Do:

• remove oxygen from the room 30 minutes before cooking
• store oxygen and keep tubing away from heat sources, such as radiators
• make sure oxygen is used in a well-ventilated room and not in a confined area, to avoid oxygen build up
• keep at least 10 feet (three metres) away from sparking objects, flames, flammable materials and extreme heat
• stay 10 feet away from an open fire or five feet away from a closed fire when using oxygen
• switch oxygen off before refuelling your car and ask someone else to refuel your car if necessary
• remove oxygen 30 minutes before using any heat source, such as hairdryer or straighteners
• make sure the firebreak (where provided) stays in the tubing, as left by your healthcare professional (piece of white plastic) – it helps stop a fire spreading up the tubing if one end catches fire
• make sure you turn off your oxygen supply when not in use, even for short periods
• be careful not to trip over your tubing. Use a walking aid, as advised, if you have one
• contact the Respiratory Service if you have a fall
• check your skin where the oxygen tubing touches it regularly. Contact the Respiratory Service if there is any redness or broken skin.

Don’t:

• smoke or vape
• allow visitors to smoke or vape inside
• charge a vaping device near your oxygen
• cook when your oxygen is on
• use candles or oil burners
• remove fire breaks from tubing
• use any equipment which may cause sparks, for instance power tools
• alter the flow rate of the oxygen yourself or tamper with the equipment in any way
• use flammable products with your oxygen, for example petroleum jelly, hairspray or other aerosols
• attempt to tackle a fire. Leave the building immediately and call 999.