There are increasing numbers of people who make use of portable oxygen equipment at home for medical reasons such as for the treatment of chronic lung disease. Although the technology associated with these devices has improved greatly over the years, great care must be taken when using oxygen in order to prevent fires as oxygen will cause flammable materials to burn a lot more easily. If there is additional oxygen present then if a fire were to break out, the chances are that they will spread that much quicker.

It is for these reasons it is hugely important not to smoke whilst wearing oxygen equipment and to be on the safe side you shouldn’t allow others who smoke into your house. If your addiction is that bad that you absolutely must smoke then turn your oxygen off, wait at least 10 minutes for the high concentration of oxygen to dissipate from your clothing and hair – then go outside in to smoke.

Many people need to use an oxygen concentrator to assist their breathing. This is an electrical device which delivers oxygen at a particular flow rate and concentration. If you are using one of these pieces of equipment then be sure that the electrical outlet it is plugged into is properly grounded. If your plug socket is in an inconvenient positon then do not use an extension cable. Instead you should ask your medical company to supply you with a specially made longer oxygen tube rather than providing you with a longer electrical cable.

Patients with a high dependance on supplemental oxygen will store additional tanks in their home. These back up electrical tanks should be stored in a well ventilated area and kept in an upright position. It may also help to place them in a sturdy stand to ensure that they wont fall over. Turn off the flow meter when storing the tank so that there is no risk of extra oxygen flowing out. When you decide to use the oxygen equipment again it is vital that it is kept at least 10 feet away from any sources of heat or fire.

Some people may rely on liquid oxygen tanks. The liquid oxygen that is contained is cold enough to freeze your skin and any other delicate bodily tissues so it is important that when filling these tanks you do not touch any metal parts that are frosted or breathe in any of the vapours which are released during the refilling process.

It would be well worth placing a no smoking sign outside your front door. Even though your friends will no doubt be aware of your requirements you can never place too much value on your safety and it is important that they remember not to smoke. As a precaution you should keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach at home and be sure that you are familiar with it’s operation. It would also help to avoid using synthetic fabrics for your linen as this may increase the chance of static electricity sparks. If you are in any doubt as to how your lifestyle may impact on your use of oxygen equipment then consult your supplier.

Author Bio: Trevor Richards is writing on behalf of Pure O2, a leading UK supplier of portable oxygen equipment.

Category: Advice
Keywords: health, home oxygen, portable oxygen, health, oxygen concentrator, breathing, lung, medicine