S06 Oxygen Fact Sheet.pdf

One-Stop Data Shop Fire Analysis and Research Division 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 Email: osds@nfpa.org www.nfpa.org

Source: Fires and Burns Involving Home Medical Oxygen, by Marty Ahrens, August 2008.

Liberal use of NFPA fact sheets is allowable with attribution.

Revised November 2008

Fires and Burns Involving Home Medical Oxygen

The air is normally 21% oxygen. Oxygen is not flammable, but fire needs it to burn.

When more oxygen is present, any fire that starts will burn hotter and faster than usual.

More oxygen in the air means that things such as hair, plastic, skin oils, clothing, and furniture can catch fire at lower temperatures.

In 2003-2006, hospital emergency rooms saw an estimated average of 1,190 thermal burns per year caused by ignitions associated with home medical oxygen.

Eighty-nine percent of the victims suffered facial burns.

In most cases, the fire department was not involved.

Heat Source in 2003-2006 Medical Oxygen-Related Burns Seen at Hospital Emergency Rooms

1%

1%

2%

2%

3%

9%

10%

73%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Unknown

Incense

Grinding

Lighting gas grill

Match or lighter

Candles

Stove or oven

Smoking materials

Source: CPSC’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System

During 2002-2005, oxygen administration equipment was involved in an estimated average of 182 home fires reported to local fire departments per year.

These fires caused an average of 46 civilian deaths and 60 civilian injuries per year.

One of every four such fires resulted in death.

Smoking is by far the leading cause of burns, reported fires, deaths, and injuries involving home medical oxygen.

Cooking and candles were other common factors.

One-Stop Data Shop Fire Analysis and Research Division 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 Email: osds@nfpa.org www.nfpa.org

Source: Fires and Burns Involving Home Medical Oxygen, by Marty Ahrens, August 2008.

Liberal use of NFPA fact sheets is allowable with attribution.

Revised November 2008

Fire Safety Tips for Home Medical Oxygen Users

The use of home oxygen systems has increased over the past decade. It’s important for people to practice fire safe behaviors when oxygen is in use. Oxygen itself does not burn but a fire needs oxygen to start and to keep burning. When more oxygen is in the air, the fire will burn hotter and faster. Smoking should not be allowed in a home where oxygen is used. Even if oxygen is not being used, it may have saturated the home including clothing, curtains, furniture, bedding, hair, and anything in the area.

Safety Tips

• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used.

• Post “no smoking” signs in and outside of the home to remind residents and guests not to smoke.

• If oxygen is used in the home, the amount of oxygen in the air, furniture, clothing, hair, and bedding goes up, making it easier for a fire to start and spread. This means that there is a higher risk of both fires and burns.

• Never use an open flame, such as candles, matches, wood stoves, and sparking toys, when oxygen is in use.

• People who may have difficulty escaping a fire should have a phone near their bed or chair.

• Make sure that the home has smoke alarms. Test them at least monthly.

• Have a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and an outside meeting place.

• Practice the plan at least twice a year.