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Oxygen Safety
Hello! To prepare for World Oxygen Day on 10/2, I wanted to share a few tips on Oxygen Safety. Some people do not understand the role of oxygen for a person with a chronic lung disease. Oxygen therapy isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of strength. It means the person is actively managing their health and choosing to live fully. Think of it like glasses for vision or a hearing aid for sound — it is another form of support. It delivers extra oxygen to help the body function better.
Modern oxygen therapy equipment is designed to be safe when used correctly. Below is an image with a few tips for anyone on oxygen therapy or a caregiver for someone on oxygen therapy. Please discuss more safety tips with your healthcare providers. Do you have any questions about oxygen therapy?
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As a respiratory therapist, I cared for several patients who smoked while using oxygen. Unfortunately, they sustained second-degree burns to their faces. It can be scary, and many people believe it will not happen to them because they are being “careful.”
Oxygen itself is not flammable, but it greatly accelerates combustion. Never smoke or use candles, matches, gas stoves, fireplaces, or other open flames near oxygen equipment including the nasal cannula. Keep oxygen away from heat sources, and follow all oxygen-safety instructions carefully.
Comments
Good point Alyssa. An older gentleman in my mothers neighborhood smoked while using oxygen and unfortunately burned their house down, killing both him and his wife. He likely lite the cigarette with the oxygen on. It's serious.
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