Oxygen Safety Guidelines

NEVER:

• Never allow your cylinder to roll, especially when traveling. Secure cylinders in the back seat with a seat belt.
• Never drop or strike your cylinder or expose it to heat sources such as fireplaces, heaters or radiators.
• Never alter or modify your cylinder in any way.
• Never store cylinders in a car trunk, in a closet, under a bed, or in other confined, unventilated areas.
  

Know these safety rules during oxygen therapy:

• Do not smoke or allow others to smoke near you.
• Stay at least 5-6 feet away from open flames or other heat and ignition sources.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in your home.
• Place a “NO SMOKING, Oxygen In Use” sign on the door of your house or in a highly visible window to alert fire department personnel that oxygen is stored and used in your home.
• Do not use flammable products, such as aerosol sprays, paint thinners, gasoline, or oil-based lubricants, while using oxygen.
• Do not use oil-based or petroleum-based cosmetics, lotions or lip balms.
• Store oxygen cylinders in well ventilated areas. Do not store cylinders in your car, and always open your car windows when traveling with a cylinder.
• Secure your cylinder so that it cannot be knocked over.
• Do not change your flow rate without your physician’s authorization.
• Never use your medical oxygen cylinder for applications other than medical oxygen.