Is oxygen therapy safe?

Supplemental oxygen is generally safe to use. But there are some guidelines providers recommend you follow while using it. Oxygen isn’t flammable, but it can cause a fire to burn faster and stronger. The fire can become explosive.

Safety guidelines to follow while using supplemental oxygen include:

Stay at least 5 feet from flames, including gas stoves, candles, fireplaces and firepits when using oxygen.

Never smoke near an oxygen tank or while wearing oxygen.

Stay at least 8 feet away from heat-producing devices, like heaters and electrical appliances.

Secure oxygen tanks in an upright position to a stand or fixed object. Never roll an oxygen cylinder. A tank that falls over or rolls may crack, causing pressure that can make the tank explode.

Store oxygen tanks in well-ventilated areas. This allows the small amounts of oxygen that could escape from the tank to disperse into the air instead of building up and becoming a fire hazard.

Don’t use flammable materials like aerosol sprays, cleaning materials and oil (petroleum) products near an oxygen tank.

Choose cotton clothes and bedding over wool, nylon and synthetic materials, which can create sparks from static electricity.

Always have a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it. Make sure your smoke alarms work.