Home Oxygen Use

Fire safety advice for using oxygen in your home.

People using home oxygen require a higher concentration of oxygen than is in the air around them. Oxygen makes things burn more fiercely and will pool in the clothes or area close to the person using it, taking 20-30 minutes to dissipate. Using home oxygen means the risk of fire needs to be managed.

What NOT To Do

Do not smoke or let anyone else smoke near you while you are connected to oxygen or for 30 minutes after you have disconnected from it
Do not charge a vaping device, vape or let anyone else vape near you while you are connected to oxygen or for 30 minutes after you have disconnected from it
Do not use electrical appliances such as electric razors, straighteners or hairdryers while you are connected to oxygen or for 30 minutes after you have disconnected from it
Do not go near open fires or naked flames while you are connected to oxygen or for 30 minutes after you have disconnected from it
Do not cook while connected to oxygen or for 30 minutes after you have disconnected from it
Do not use aerosol sprays such as deodorant or hairspray when using oxygen
Do not use barrier medications/creams that contain petroleum oil or paraffin. Ask your pharmacist or care provider to recommend suitable water-based alternatives
Do not store oxygen near paint, oil, grease or any domestic heating gases or other combustible materials

What TO Do

Store oxygen cylinders upright, ideally secured to prevent them falling over
Store oxygen cylinders out of direct sunlight in a well-ventilated area that is dry and three metres away from any heat source
Use grease free hands when touching the controls on your oxygen supply
Disconnect from your oxygen 30 minutes before using or going near to naked flames, cooking or smoking
Disconnect from your oxygen 30 minutes before using electric razors, straighteners or hairdryers
Turn off your oxygen supply when you have finished using it or disconnected for a short period
Save your oxygen supply company’s phone number in your phone so that you can contact them quickly if your supply needs replacing
Ensure you have working smoke alarms on each level of your home and in the room/s where you commonly use home oxygen and test them every month
Consider requesting a Home Fire Safety Visit to review fire precautions within your home and receive additional advice and guidance