Supplemental oxygen therapy is a common treatment for respiratory conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or other causes of low blood oxygen, known as hypoxia. While breathing air enriched with oxygen is medically beneficial, it introduces a significant safety concern into the home environment. Oxygen itself is not flammable and does not burn, but it is a powerful oxidizer that dramatically feeds and accelerates any existing fire, making materials ignite more easily and burn much hotter and faster than normal. This heightened risk of combustion requires strict adherence to safety guidelines regarding materials and activities near the oxygen source.
Direct Sources of Fire and Open Flames
The most immediate and severe danger when using supplemental oxygen involves any open flame or spark. Oxygen is one of the three components required for fire (heat and fuel are the others). Its presence, even in small leaks, creates an oxygen-enriched atmosphere around the user and equipment, turning a small flame into an uncontrollable blaze.
Smoking is the leading cause of fires involving home oxygen therapy, and it must be strictly prohibited indoors and within a defined safety perimeter outside. The combination of a lit cigarette and the concentrated oxygen escaping from a cannula or mask creates a severe burn risk to the user and their surroundings. Even if the oxygen is turned off, the user’s hair and clothing can remain saturated with oxygen for several minutes, still posing a significant risk.
Any source of open flame must be kept a minimum of 8 to 10 feet away from the oxygen equipment and the user. This prohibition includes candles, fireplaces, wood stoves, and gas stoves. Cooking over a gas burner is particularly dangerous because the oxygen flow can cause the flame to flare up toward the user. Checking household appliances for pilot lights is also necessary, as these small flames present a constant ignition source. Lighters and matches must never be used or stored near the oxygen setup.
Flammable Creams, Ointments, and Aerosols
Certain household products and personal care items become highly combustible when exposed to a concentrated flow of oxygen. These materials serve as the fuel component in the fire triangle, and the oxygen saturates them, lowering their ignition temperature. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid using oil-based products on the face or upper body while undergoing oxygen therapy.
Petroleum jelly, commonly used for chapped skin or dry nasal passages, is a major concern because it is derived from petroleum. When petroleum jelly or other oil-based creams are exposed to concentrated oxygen, they can ignite with minimal heat, potentially causing severe burns. Only water-based lubricants, which are non-flammable, should be used to relieve dryness caused by the nasal cannula.
Aerosol sprays present a dual hazard because they are often flammable and use volatile propellants that ignite easily. Products like hair spray, deodorant, air fresheners, and cleaning sprays should not be used in the same room as the oxygen equipment. Alcohol-based products, such as hand sanitizers, perfumes, and aftershaves, are also volatile and pose a fire risk. Highly volatile chemicals, including paint thinners, gasoline, or other solvents, must be stored well away from the oxygen equipment.
Preventing Electrical Sparks and Excessive Heat
Indirect ignition sources, such as electrical sparks or excessive heat, must be carefully managed. Electrical devices that generate heat or have the potential to spark should be kept a safe distance away from the oxygen equipment and tubing. This includes space heaters, electric blankets, and heating pads, which should be placed at least five feet from the oxygen unit.
Certain small electrical devices, like electric razors and hair dryers, can produce a spark during operation or if they have a faulty motor, which is dangerous in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Preventing static electricity buildup is also important, as it can act as an ignition source. Choosing cotton bedding and clothing over synthetic fabrics helps reduce static charge near the equipment.
Oxygen concentrators require proper airflow to prevent overheating. Covering the concentrator with blankets, clothing, or drapes is strictly prohibited, as this blocks the vents and can cause the unit to overheat or malfunction. Concentrators should be plugged directly into a wall outlet and never into an extension cord or power strip, which increases the risk of electrical sparking or overheating.