Using Oxygen Safely at Home

Important information about oxygen

Your healthcare provider has ordered oxygen for your child to use in the home. Oxygen is a gas that we breathe in from the air. Oxygen is as necessary as food to give energy to our body. There are several ways to provide home oxygen.

Oxygen must be handled with care. It makes things catch fire more easily and burn faster. You must follow these safety guidelines to prevent a fire and injury to yourself or others. Your durable medical equipment (DME) company will review all the items with you.

Patient instructions:

1. Place the oxygen machine so that air can circulate around the unit.

2. Connect the humidifier jar (if ordered by your healthcare provider) to the flowmeter.

3. Attach the oxygen tubing to the humidifier.

4. Adjust the flowrate on the flowmeter as ordered by your healthcare provider. Do not change the oxygen flowrate unless ordered by your healthcare provider.

5. Check the humidifier jar. It will bubble when the oxygen is on.

Portable oxygen: Check the portable unit frequently when in use. 

Cleaning

Daily:

1. Wash the humidifier jar in warm, soapy water with a mild dish detergent.

2. Rinse well using tap water.

3. Do not place it in the dishwasher.

4. Dry well. 

5. Refill with distilled or boiled water to the fill line.

Weekly:

1. When cleaning the humidifier jar, use a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water.

2. Soak the humidifier jar in a large container. 

3. Cover the jar with the solution. 

4. Clean for 30 minutes.

5. Rinse well with tap water.

6. Air dry on a clean towel. 

7. Cover with a clean cloth or paper towel.

8. Store in a zip lock bag. 

9. Change equipment every 2 weeks.

Instructions for oxygen safety:

• Post a sign that says "Warning: No Smoking. No Open Flame. Oxygen in Use" on the front door or the door used as the entrance to your home. Oxygen signs should also be posted where oxygen is stored in the home. 

• Notify your fire department that you have oxygen in your home.

• Do not allow anyone to smoke, light a match or use a cigarette lighter in the home or car when oxygen is in use.

• Keep oxygen tanks at least 3 feet away from electrical outlets. Be aware of the potential for sparks from outlets, medical equipment or battery-operated toys.

• Keep oxygen tanks at least 10 feet away from open flames. Be aware of gas stoves, space heaters, lit birthday candles or lit fireplaces as oxygen can fuel a fire.

• Do not use electrical appliances such as electric razors or hair dryers while using oxygen.

• Make sure you have a working smoke detector in your home.

• Do not use petroleum-based lotions and creams on the face or upper body when oxygen is in use. Use only water-based products. 

• Keep oxygen tanks away from hot surfaces like radiators.

• Be aware of the potential risk to neighbors from oxygen hazards in your home.

• To prevent falls, be careful to not to allow oxygen tubing to lay across walkways in your home. Keep oxygen tank secured in the stand.

• Turn off the oxygen when it is not being used.

• Always be sure to have a functioning back-up oxygen system.

• Try to use clothes and bedding made of cotton material to limit static electricity.

• Never touch liquid oxygen. It is extremely cold and can cause frostbite. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you were exposed to liquid oxygen.

• Never disassemble or repair unit.

Instructions for storing oxygen safely:

• Store oxygen in a well-ventilated area.

• Keep oxygen cylinders in stored stands or lying flat on their side.

• Do not store or use flammable products such as spray cans, nail polish remover, gasoline, kerosene, rubbing alcohol, paint thinners and other oil-based lubricants near oxygen.

• Do not store oxygen in closed vehicles or car trunks.

• Identify your full, partially full and empty oxygen tanks.

• Check the time span of the stationary and portable tanks. CHOP Home Care patients can refer to page 17 of their welcome booklet.

• Refill as scheduled.

Oxygen emergency instructions:

If there is a fire near your oxygen, do not try to fight the fire. Get away from the oxygen and get everyone out of the house.

Reviewed October 2024 by Sergey Tseona, RRT NPS