Oxygen Cylinder and Oxygen Concentrator Safety Guidelines for Home Use

Quick answer: oxygen does not burn by itself, but it makes fires start more easily and burn faster. At home, keep oxygen cylinders and concentrators away from smoking, flames and heat, store cylinders upright and secured, use only the prescribed flow rate, and keep equipment clean. These guidelines apply to both oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators.

Fire safety

• No smoking, candles, incense, gas stoves or mosquito coils in the room where oxygen is used.
• Keep oxygen equipment at least 2 metres (about 6 feet) from open flames and heat sources such as heaters.
• Do not use oil-based creams or petroleum jelly on the face or lips while using oxygen; use water-based products.
• Never put oil or grease on cylinder valves, regulators or fittings.
• If clothing or bedding smells strongly of oxygen, air it before going near any flame.

Oxygen cylinder safety

• Store cylinders upright, secured to a wall or in a trolley so they cannot fall.
• Keep them in a cool, ventilated place out of direct sun and away from the kitchen.
• Open the valve slowly and close it fully when oxygen is not in use.
• Check the cylinder test date and do not use a dented, rusted or leaking cylinder.
• Secure the cylinder during transport so it cannot roll.
• Arrange refills before the gauge runs low; see oxygen cylinder refill guide.

Oxygen concentrator safety

• Plug the concentrator directly into a wall socket, not an extension board.
• Leave space around the air vents and do not cover it with cloth.
• Clean or replace the air filter as the manual says, usually weekly cleaning.
• Respond to alarms and keep a backup cylinder for power cuts.
• Have faults checked by a technician; see oxygen concentrator repair in Dhaka.

Cannula, mask and humidifier hygiene

• Wash the nasal cannula or mask regularly and replace it when it becomes hard or discoloured.
• Refill the humidifier bottle with clean distilled or boiled and cooled water, and clean it often.
• Check tubing for kinks, cracks and loose connections.

Using the right amount of oxygen

Use only the flow rate and hours prescribed by the doctor. Check readings with a pulse oximeter. Contact a doctor if the patient becomes more breathless, or develops headache, unusual drowsiness or confusion, which can mean the oxygen level or setting needs review. In an emergency, go to a hospital or call 999.

Oxygen cylinder or concentrator?

	Oxygen cylinder	Oxygen concentrator
Power needed	No	Yes
Refills	Yes	No
Best for	Short-term use, backup, travel	Long daily use at home
Main safety point	Secure upright, protect the valve	Ventilation, direct wall socket

Bangla readers: অক্সিজেন সিলিন্ডার ব্যবহারের নিয়ম. Questions? Call Peace Oxygen at 01719-677350.

Frequently asked questions