Safe Oxygen Use at Home
Home Oxygen Safety
Oxygen supports prescribed respiratory therapy, but it can also increase the risk and intensity of fire. Learn how to reduce hazards, store equipment properly, protect tubing and cylinders, and prepare your household for an emergency.
✓ Fire and smoking precautions
✓ Safe equipment placement
✓ Emergency preparation
Safety at a glance
Three Essential Rules
No smoking or vaping
Keep smoking and vaping completely away from oxygen use and storage areas.
Keep away from flames
Keep oxygen away from candles, fireplaces, gas appliances, and heat sources.
Store equipment securely
Keep equipment secured and in an approved, well-ventilated location.
Understanding the risk
Why Oxygen Safety Matters
Oxygen does not burn by itself, but it can make other materials ignite more easily and burn more rapidly. Clothing, bedding, upholstered furniture, hair, and other nearby materials can become more vulnerable when oxygen is in use.
Safety rules apply to everyone in the home—not only the person receiving therapy. Family members, caregivers, visitors, and service providers should understand that smoking, vaping, sparks, flames, heat, oils, aerosols, and other flammable products must be kept away from oxygen.
Follow the instructions provided by the healthcare team, MedPro, and the equipment manufacturer. Equipment-specific guidance should take priority when it differs from general information.
Oxygen Changes How Fire Behaves
Materials that normally burn can ignite more easily and burn more quickly around increased oxygen. Keep ignition sources, flammable products, and combustible materials away from oxygen use and storage areas.
During a fire or immediate danger, leave the area when it is safe to do so and call 911. Do not remain in the home to fight the fire.
Quick-reference rules
Essential Home Oxygen Safety Rules
Use these core rules as a starting point and follow any additional instructions provided for the patient’s equipment and service plan.
No Smoking or Vaping
Keep all smoking and vaping away from oxygen use and storage areas.
- Do not smoke or vape while oxygen is being used
- Do not allow visitors to smoke or vape near oxygen equipment
- Do not charge e-cigarettes near the oxygen setup
- Use visible no-smoking or oxygen-in-use signs where appropriate
Avoid Flames and Heat
Keep oxygen away from open flames, hot surfaces, sparks, and high-heat appliances.
- Candles, fireplaces, matches, and lighters
- Gas stoves, barbecues, and open-flame appliances
- Space heaters and other heat sources
- Follow the separation distance provided for the equipment
Avoid Oils and Flammable Products
Keep petroleum-based products, oils, grease, aerosols, fuels, and solvents away from oxygen.
- Do not use oil or grease on oxygen equipment
- Keep aerosol sprays away from the setup
- Store fuels, paints, and solvents elsewhere
- Ask which skin or nasal products are suitable
Keep Equipment Ventilated
Concentrators require unobstructed airflow and an approved placement area.
- Do not place a concentrator in a closet
- Do not cover equipment with clothing or bedding
- Keep air inlets and outlets clear
- Maintain the manufacturer-specified clearance
Secure Oxygen Cylinders
Prevent cylinders from tipping, rolling, or being struck.
- Use an approved holder, cart, stand, or storage system
- Protect valves and regulators from impact
- Keep cylinders away from busy pathways and exits
- Do not allow untrained people to handle them
Follow the Prescription
Use oxygen and equipment according to the instructions provided.
- Do not change the oxygen setting independently
- Do not substitute equipment without guidance
- Follow the provided on-and-off instructions
- Contact the healthcare team for clinical changes
The most important household rule
Keeping the Home Smoke- and Vape-Free
No one should smoke or vape where oxygen is used or stored. Moving a cigarette or vaping device only a short distance away is not a safe substitute because oxygen can remain around clothing, bedding, furniture, and nearby materials.
Visitors should be told before entering the oxygen-use area. Clear household rules and visible signs can help prevent someone from lighting a cigarette, match, lighter, candle, or vaping device near the equipment.
Keep smoking supplies, lighters, matches, vaping devices, and charging equipment away from the oxygen setup.
A Household Rule, Not Just a Patient Rule
- Tell visitors that oxygen is used in the home
- Place signs at appropriate entrances
- Keep smoking and vaping completely away from oxygen areas
- Do not store lighters, matches, or vaping devices near the setup
- Include caregivers and family members in safety education
Kitchen and heat precautions
Using Oxygen Around Cooking and Heat Sources
Cooking arrangements should keep oxygen, tubing, clothing, and equipment away from flames, hot surfaces, sparks, and high-heat appliances.
Gas Stoves and Open Flames
Do not use oxygen close to an active gas burner or other open flame. Follow the separation and activity instructions provided for the patient.
Electric Cooking Appliances
Electric appliances can still produce heat or sparks. Keep oxygen equipment and tubing away from elements, ovens, kettles, and hot cookware.
Clothing and Tubing
Keep tubing out of the cooking area and do not lean over hot surfaces or flames while wearing oxygen equipment.
Safer Planning
Ask another household member to cook where practical, prepare meals away from active burners, and review individual arrangements during equipment education.
Safe equipment placement
Oxygen Concentrator and Electrical Safety
A concentrator needs dry, well-ventilated placement and a safe electrical connection.
Concentrator Placement
Keep the concentrator in an approved location with unobstructed airflow.
- Use a dry, well-ventilated area
- Maintain the clearance specified for the model
- Do not place the unit in a closet or enclosed cabinet
- Do not cover it with clothing, bedding, or towels
- Keep vents clear and away from curtains or furniture
Electrical Safety
Connect and operate the concentrator according to the supplied instructions.
- Avoid extension cords and power bars unless specifically approved
- Keep plugs, cords, and outlets dry
- Do not use damaged cords, plugs, or outlets
- Do not run electrical cords beneath rugs
- Contact MedPro if a power cord or plug appears damaged
Compressed oxygen safety
Storing and Handling Oxygen Cylinders Safely
Oxygen cylinders must be protected from tipping, impact, heat, contamination, and untrained handling.
Keep Cylinders Secure
Prevent tipping and rolling by using the approved storage and mobility equipment.
- Use an approved stand, holder, cart, or storage system
- Keep cylinders positioned as instructed
- Do not leave cylinders unsupported in busy areas
Protect the Cylinder and Valve
Handle cylinders carefully and protect valves and regulators from damage.
- Do not drop, strike, or drag cylinders
- Do not lift by the valve or regulator
- Do not attempt repairs
- Keep valves free from oil and grease
Choose a Safe Storage Area
Store cylinders in a clean, dry, well-ventilated location.
- Keep away from flames and heat
- Keep away from paints, fuels, and solvents
- Avoid exits, stairs, and high-traffic paths
- Limit excess combustible materials nearby
Limit Access
Prevent children, pets, and untrained visitors from disturbing the equipment.
- Do not allow children to play with cylinders
- Prevent pets from tipping cylinders or chewing tubing
- Make sure caregivers understand correct handling
Preventing household accidents
Preventing Trips and Household Accidents
Tubing, electrical cords, cylinders, children, pets, and visitors can create additional hazards if the setup is not planned carefully.
Keep Walkways Clear
Route tubing away from common walking paths where possible and pay extra attention near stairs, doorways, and dimly lit areas.
Protect Tubing and Cords
Keep tubing and cords away from heat, sharp edges, closed doors, rugs, crushing, pulling, and other sources of damage.
Children and Visitors
Do not allow children or untrained visitors to adjust equipment, move cylinders, or change oxygen controls.
Pets
Prevent pets from chewing tubing, pulling cords, blocking concentrator airflow, or tipping portable equipment.
Prepare before an emergency
Prepare Your Home for an Emergency
A simple household plan can help patients and caregivers respond more quickly during a fire, power interruption, or equipment emergency.
1
Install and Test Alarms
Maintain working smoke alarms and test them according to local fire-safety guidance.
2
Make Oxygen Use Known
Follow local guidance about notifying the fire department or emergency service that oxygen is stored in the home.
3
Keep Exits Clear
Do not store cylinders or route tubing where they block doors, stairs, hallways, or escape routes.
4
Create a Household Plan
Know which exits to use, where contact information is kept, when to call 911, and which backup instructions apply.
During a fire or immediate danger, leave the area when it is safe to do so and call 911. Do not remain in the home to fight the fire.
Power interruption planning
Preparing for a Power Outage
Stationary oxygen concentrators require electrical power. Patients and caregivers should understand the backup plan that applies to the prescribed equipment and keep the necessary support information easy to find.
- Know where approved backup equipment is stored
- Keep portable equipment charged where applicable
- Keep emergency and service numbers available
- Notify MedPro when the address or contact details change
- Follow any utility-notification advice provided
During an Interruption
- Follow the patient-specific backup instructions
- Do not improvise electrical connections
- Do not use damaged cords or unapproved power sources
- Contact MedPro for equipment-related assistance
- Call 911 during an immediate medical emergency
Responding to equipment concerns
If Oxygen Equipment Is Damaged or Not Working Properly
Do not attempt to repair oxygen equipment. Follow the patient’s backup instructions and contact the appropriate support team.
Take These Steps
- Move away from flames, heat, smoke, or any immediate hazard
- Do not attempt to repair or modify the equipment
- Follow the backup instructions provided for the patient
- Contact MedPro for equipment support
- Call 911 during a fire or immediate medical emergency
Detailed cleaning and maintenance guidance is available on the Oxygen Equipment Care & Maintenance page.
A practical summary
Home Oxygen Safety Checklist
Use this quick guide to reinforce the most important household safety habits.
No Smoking or Vaping
Keep smoking and vaping away from all oxygen use and storage areas.
Keep Away From Flames
Keep oxygen away from flames, sparks, heat, and hot surfaces.
Avoid Oils and Aerosols
Keep petroleum products, oils, grease, aerosols, fuels, and solvents away.
Keep Equipment Ventilated
Do not cover equipment and keep all vents and clearances unobstructed.
Secure Oxygen Cylinders
Use the approved stand, cart, holder, or storage arrangement.
Keep Walkways Clear
Route tubing and cords to reduce tripping and equipment damage.
Check Smoke Alarms
Maintain working alarms and review the household emergency plan.
Keep Contacts Available
Keep MedPro, healthcare, and emergency contact information easy to find.
Choosing the right contact
Know Who to Contact
MedPro can help with equipment and service concerns. Emergency services should be contacted during a fire or immediate medical emergency.
Contact MedPro
Contact MedPro for equipment, service, delivery, and safety questions related to the supplied oxygen system.
- Equipment alarms or operating concerns
- Damaged tubing, cords, plugs, or accessories
- Cylinder or oxygen-supply concerns
- Equipment placement questions
- Backup-equipment questions
- Service and replacement coordination
Call 911
Call 911 during a fire, active smoke or burning, an immediate medical emergency, or any situation where the household cannot remain safely in the home.
Continue learning
Continue Your Home Oxygen Journey
Explore related guidance for daily routines, equipment care, MedPro support, and travel.
Daily life
Living With Home Oxygen
Learn about daily routines, comfort, mobility, independence, and using oxygen around the home.
Care & maintenance
Equipment Care & Maintenance
Review cleaning, inspections, replacement guidance, and basic equipment maintenance.
Services & support
Home Oxygen Services & Support
Learn about delivery, education, equipment assistance, and ongoing support.
Travel
Travelling With Oxygen
Plan for transportation, overnight stays, flights, batteries, and portable oxygen supply.
Home Oxygen Safety
Have Questions About Using Oxygen Safely?
MedPro’s respiratory care team can help with equipment placement, oxygen-safety questions, service concerns, and the instructions provided with your home oxygen system.