Clients on home oxygen — safety rules
2 min readHome hazards — oxygen safety
Absolutely no smoking, open flames, or oil-based products near oxygen. Never change the flow rate yourself — that is a medical order. Keep tubing untangled and report equipment problems or breathing changes right away.
- 1Fire safety: no smoking anywhere near oxygen (post the sign), no candles or gas stoves in use while wearing it, keep tanks at least 5–10 feet from heat sources.
- 2No petroleum products (Vaseline, oil-based lotion) on the face or nose — use water-based products.
- 3Never adjust the liter flow — the rate is prescribed like a medication. If the client asks you to change it, call the nurse.
- 4Keep tubing kink-free and watch it as a trip hazard; check that the concentrator has space around it and its alarm is not blocked.
- 5Watch and report: increased shortness of breath, blue lips or fingertips, sore spots from the tubing behind the ears or in the nose, equipment alarms.
- 6Trouble breathing that doesn't improve with the prescribed oxygen: call 911.
Call 911 immediately if
Client is unconscious, not breathing normally, bleeding heavily, or you suspect a head, neck, or spine injury.
What to remember
- —Fire safety: no smoking anywhere near oxygen (post the sign), no candles or gas stoves in use while wearing it, keep tanks at least 5–10 feet from heat sources..
- —No petroleum products (Vaseline, oil-based lotion) on the face or nose — use water-based products..
- —Never adjust the liter flow — the rate is prescribed like a medication.