Safety information
Home oxygen therapy is safe so long as you follow a few simple rules.
Using oxygen safely
Oxygen is highly combustible, so the following safety precautions are vital:
DO:
- Use the oxygen only as prescribed by your doctor.
- Have smoke alarms in your house.
- Secure cylinders to prevent them falling over.
- Turn off oxygen equipment when not in use.
- Clean the equipment regularly.
- Place a ‘No Smoking’ sign where you use the oxygen equipment.
- Keep grease, creams, oil products, flammable and combustible materials away from oxygen equipment.
- Use and store oxygen equipment in well-ventilated areas away from humid or wet environments.
DON'T:
- Smoke or let others smoke in your home or near your oxygen equipment.
- Use oxygen equipment near electrical equipment that sparks or gets hot.
- Use oxygen equipment near matches, candles, gas appliances, open flames or fires.
- Allow others to operate the oxygen equipment without training.
- Tamper with or attempt to repair your oxygen equipment yourself.
Contact VitalAire for further information
Planning for a power failure
An emergency plan will help you cope better during a power failure if your oxygen concentrator cannot be used. Stay calm and contact VitalAire or your nearest hospital. Please note that the supply of home oxygen is not a life support treatment. Our primary concern is for your safety. Use this checklist to help you prepare.
PDF - 275.62 KB
Your emergency power failure checklist
- Advise your electricity provider that you are dependent on electricity to supply your oxygen equipment.
- Check your emergency backup cylinder weekly (If requested only).
- Have torches with spare batteries.
- Do not light a candle.
- Have a radio with spare batteries.
- Ensure you have a telephone or arrange alternative.
- Assistance from family or friends.
- Draw up a contact list for family, friends, carers, doctors, emergency services and VitalAire.
- Review your plan twice a year and keep it handy.
Our Products
All our high quality medical devices are FDA and CE marked, meaning they are safe and meet the most rigorous standards for therapy. VitalAire is 9001:2008 accredited to ensure our products and services comply with international standards.