Oxygen Therapy

Many people use oxygen therapy at home for lots of different medical conditions. But oxygen can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

If you use oxygen therapy at home you may need to take some additional fire safety precautions. This is because oxygen makes a fire burn more strongly.

Make sure you store and use your oxygen apparatus safely to avoid injury or increasing the risk of fire in your home.

  • Don’t smoke in the same room as the oxygen cylinder, especially in bed.

  • Your oxygen equipment should be stored safely; out of direct sunlight and in a place that is well ventilated, always dry and away from heat sources.

  • Only use oxygen when there are no naked flames, including gas and electric cookers within three metres.

  • Ensure oxygen equipment is properly turned off when it is not being used.

Request a home fire safety check

Please request a home fire safety check from our experts. We will assess your living arrangements and help you use oxygen therapy safely at home.

Based on your personal situation, we will either offer a home visit or provide personalised fire safety advice.

Oxygen therapy and fire safety

If you use oxygen to treat a medical condition, you will likely have an oxygen cylinder or a concentrator at home. These appliances allow you to safely store the gas so you can breathe in oxygen-enriched air as prescribed by your doctor.

While it’s convenient to keep these at home, it’s vital to maintain your oxygen product and use it only as indicated by the manufacturer. Failure to follow these instructions can cause an accidental release of oxygen gas, which can make fires worse.

  • Always follow the official safety advice as provided by the manufacturer.

  • Never smoke in the same room as oxygen cylinders or concentrators.

  • Keep the gas at least 2 metres away from heat sources like hobs and electric heaters.

  • Turn off the equipment when it’s not in use.

  • Protect the gas cylinders from direct sunlight or falling/tipping over.

You should make sure you have working smoke alarms fitted on each floor of your home. These will alert you in the event of a fire, which can spread more quickly when there are oxygen products present.