Oxygen Handling Tips

WARNING: "No Smoking or Naked Flames"

The use of oxygen therapy requires that special care be taken to reduce the risk of fire. Material that burns in air and even some material that will not burn in air are easily ignited and burn rapidly in high concentrations of oxygen. For safety concerns, all possible sources of ignition must be kept away from the oxygen concentrator and preferably out of the room in which it is being used.

Smoking in the proximity of an operating oxygen concentrator is dangerous, and can permanently damage the device and void the warranty.

"Use No Oil or Grease" A spontaneous and violent ignition may occur if oil, grease or other petroleum substances come into contact with oxygen under pressure. Keep these substances away from the oxygen concentrator, tubing and connections and any other oxygen source.

• Do Not use any petroleum based or other lubricants.
• Make sure the outlet to which concentrator is connected is grounded to avoid short circuiting and any fire hazard.
• Do Not use concentrator if it has a damaged cord or plug; contact qualified service personnel for examination and repair.
• Never plug the concentrator into an outlet that is being used to power other appliances.
• Do Not use an "octopus" adapter with your concen­trator and or connect concentrator to any power extension cords. 
• Keep oxygen concentrator and cord away from hot surfaces.
• Air intake of the oxygen concentrator should be located in a well-ventilated area.
• Oxygen concentrator should be located so as to avoid pollutants and fumes.
• If oxygen concentrator has been dropped, damaged or exposed to water, contact qualified service personnel for examination.
• Do Not drop or insert any object into any opening.
• Do Not block the air opening of the oxygen concentrator or place it on a soft surface, such as a bed or couch, where air opening may become blocked.
• Do Not cover unit with a blanket, towel, quilt, etc.
• Do Not place objects (pillow, blanket) under unit. Maintain at least ½ inch clearance under unit.
• Do Not overfill the humidifier, if used. Fill with distilled water only to the level shown by the manufacturer.
• Warning: Do Not remove the cover. Cover should only be removed by qualified service personnel.
• Do Not store oxygen filled tanks over staircase or areas from where they can fall easily.
• When traveling with an oxygen system in an automobile, remember: 
  • No smoking or open flames in the car. 
  • Secure tanks so that they cannot be easily moved.  If a tank valve is bumped, the valve can be inadvertently opened releasing a large amount of oxygen rapidly
  • Do Not store oxygen tanks in an area of the car where temperature will exceed 120F. Leave the windows open slightly to allow for some ventilation if tanks must be left for extended time during warm weather.
  • Do Not carry tanks in the trunk of a car. (To prevent damage to the tanks in a rear-end accident.)

Carry an extra tank with you when traveling, just in case your trip takes longer than expected.