11 Critical Safety Precautions For Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen might seem like a harmless gas because we breathe it every day. However, when oxygen is purified at high concentrations, it can become very destructive. Oxygen therapy is an important medical treatment for patients who need to have supplemental oxygen, but caution must be taken to avoid injury.

In this blog post, we will discuss 11 important safety precautions to take into consideration if you are on oxygen therapy. First, let us discuss 2 critical reasons why you should always handle oxygen carefully.

2 Critical Reasons Why Oxygen Should Be Handled Carefully

All at-home medical devices have specific safety measures to avoid injury and potential tragedy. In regard to oxygen therapy, there are 2 main reasons why oxygen should be handled with a similar level of care:

Oxygen is a Fire Hazard

Oxygen itself is not flammable, but if it comes into contact with a small spark or flame and a highly flammable item, oxygen can accelerate a fire quickly. The oxygen that comes from an oxygen concentrator or an oxygen tank is of sufficient purity to become a potent fire accelerant, if not handled carefully.

Oxygen is a Medication

Oxygen in high concentrations, such as an oxygen concentrator, must be prescribed by a doctor. The dosage should not be changed, except when instructed by a doctor. Since using too much or too little can cause health complications.

While it is not possible to overdose on oxygen in the same way you can overdose on other types of medication, oxygen at high concentrations can cause oxygen toxicity. If you receive much more than required purified oxygen at high pressure for too long, then it may cause damage to your lungs and your central nervous system (CNS). For this reason, it is crucial to ensure that you are using the oxygen flow and level as prescribed by your doctor to supplement your medical needs. If you follow your doctor's clinical judgment regarding your oxygen therapy, you are not a risk of oxygen toxicity.

Oxygen Therapy Safety Precautions

11 Safety Precautions for Using Oxygen Therapy

The following list includes at-home oxygen therapy safety DON’Ts:

  1. Do not go near open flames - Stay least 10 feet away from open flames while using an oxygen concentrator or oxygen tank. Keep away from cigarettes, candles, gas stoves, etc..
  2. Do not use an electric razor while using oxygen therapy. They are known to put off sparks.
  3. Do not put on or take off clothing that is prone to static electricity while wearing supplemental oxygen.
  4. Do not use oil or petroleum-based products on your face while using oxygen, since they are inflammable.

The following list contains at-home oxygen therapy safety DOs:

  1. Keep oxygen tanks and cylinders secure at all times. If they fall over, the valve can come loose, and the pressurized oxygen may turn the tank into a dangerous missile.
  2. Place a non-smoking sign in your home or one in each room.
  3. Notify your utility providers and local fire department that you are using oxygen in your home. They can put you on a "top-priority list" in case you lose power.
  4. Keep the service number for your oxygen equipment nearby, in case something breaks. A good idea would be to put a sticker with the customer care number on the equipment and your first-aid box.
  5. Make sure your smoke detectors are all working correctly and replace them with new batteries as soon as they start to get low.
  6. Have a quick escape plan in case of a house fire, so you immediately know what to do to prevent panic and confusion.
  7. When not in use, store your oxygen equipment in an area of your house that is far from any sources of heat.

Final Thoughts

Oxygen therapy is an important treatment option for people who need additional oxygen due to a medical condition. That said, oxygen is still a form of medication and should be used with caution. By taking the steps above, you will be well on your way to using oxygen in your home safely.

Related Information


Updated: March 5, 2020
Published: December 22, 2015


14 thoughts on “11 Critical Safety Precautions For Oxygen Therapy”

  • Mitch Kwilinski

    Good O2

  • Nancy

    Brother has COPD ON OXYGEN. I read that hand held fans may be soothing to someone short of breath and on Oxygen. These are batterey operated are they safe for use while on nasal canula using an oximizer at 6 percent?

  • Betty Gambrel
    Betty Gambrel April 9, 2019 at 3:42 am

    Can this cause sinus infection?

    • Ed Rodgers

      Sinus infections can be caused by a lot different reasons. Here is a another blog post that helps outline sinus infections. https://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/breathe-easy/disease-info/sinutsitis/

      I would ask your physician as to whether a concentrator can cause a sinus infection.

  • Stephanie R Scales
    Stephanie R Scales May 9, 2019 at 1:57 pm

    I'm new to wearing oxygen 24/7 but sometimes I take it off to go outside for 5 minutes my o2 goes from 99 to72 and sometime lower wht is going on?

    • Ed Rodgers

      Hi Stephanie,
      Give you physician a call to discuss if you are having questions and concerns. If you are talking about your saturation level, taking off your O2 then that number will go down. But best to call your doctor and discuss as depending on your medical condition there could be other factors. Good Luck.

  • rozanne

    I am using a 24/7 oxygen concentrator. Is it safe for me to use an electric blanket while receiving my oxygen? I also have an extension outlet that has my electric blanket, cell phone charger on there, is this safe? Please let me know if I can continue to do this.

    Thank you!

  • Ogbuvictoria

    Thanks for your service

  • Tufel

    My aunty saturation level is sometime 78 and some time 80.... She is discharged from Hospital .... Hut doctor says to use Oxygen.... So Using Oxygen Concentrator is safe .... So For how many days we have to use this Oxygen.... And using 1 Hour or 2 Hours daily is it sufficient right.... Pls Ans me

    • Sanket Jain

      Tufel, we cannot offer medical advice. The duration of oxygen therapy can be determined by a medical professional. Please contact your health care provider for this.

  • Jerry D Gridley
    Jerry D Gridley May 22, 2020 at 6:30 am

    when using an oxygen concentrator, should you keep the generator itself away from flame, or keep the person using the cannula away from flame? For instance, could they sit several feet from a fire (outside), while wearing a cannula, and the concentrator is inside the house?

    • Sanket Jain

      Hi Jerry, oxygen from the concentrator makes it easier for a fire to spread. Both the oxygen concentrator and the nasal cannula must be kept away from any source of heat, fumes, and fire. Make sure you yourself, the tubing, and the concentrator are at least 10 feet away from the flames. I hope this helps!


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