Patient Education Living Well with COPD Booklet | Page 19

Oxygen Use and Safety
Your healthcare provider may have
prescribed oxygen for you. Oxygen
is a drug that helps treat symptoms of
COPD. It can help improve quality of life
for many people with COPD.
• Be sure you have working fi re
extinguishers and smoke detectors in
your home.
• Have an evacuation route for you and
your family in case of a fi re.
• Do not use petroleum-jelly-based
ointments (Vaseline, Chapstick) in or
around your nose if you are using
oxygen.
Equipment
Your healthcare provider and oxygen
provider will determine which oxygen
system is right for you.
• Do not use electric razors, hair dryers,
electric toys, or other items that could
produce sparks near your oxygen.
Oxygen Concentrator
• Keep all oxygen at least 15 feet from
any open fl ame such as a stove,
barbeque, fi replace, match, or candle.
An oxygen concentrator separates the
oxygen in room air and delivers it at 90
to 95% purity. No refi lls of oxygen are
needed since the machine “makes” its
own. Concentrators run on electricity,
but there are portable units that use
battery power.
• Do not store oxygen in an enclosed
space such as a closet.
• Store oxygen tanks standing upright or
fl at on the fl oor. Keep them secured
and do not allow them to fall.
Liquid Oxygen in Tanks
• Keep your oxygen tubing contained to
avoid tripping hazards.
Oxygen is also available in liquid form.
Tanks are delivered to your home, and
small portable units can be provided.
• Make certain your tubing is not
kinked or tangled to prevent blocking
the oxygen fl ow.
Safety
Oxygen is helpful and safe only when
used as prescribed by your healthcare
provider. Oxygen is combustible and can
be a fi re hazard if not handled properly.
• Do not smoke or allow smoking in
your home if you are using oxygen.
• Place “NO SMOKING” signs on the
outside of entry doors to your home
and in every room where oxygen is
being used.
18