How To Store Oxygen Supplies Safely at Home

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1. Overview of Common Home Oxygen Supplies
2. Why Proper Storage Matters for Oxygen Supplies
3. Storage Considerations for Oxygen Cylinders
4. Storage Considerations for Oxygen Concentrators
5. Managing Tubing, Cannulas, and Accessories
6. Environmental and Household Safety Factors
7. Supply Rotation, Maintenance, and Replacement

Introduction

Oxygen supplies are essential to patients who need respiratory therapy. You may need oxygen concentrators, a compressed gas cylinder, or liquid oxygen. What is just as important as receiving oxygen is storing your oxygen therapy equipment correctly.

There are many factors that can damage your supplies: pets may chew on your tubing, or exposed heat sources may react with nearby oxygen and catch fire. Most importantly, proper home oxygen safety can help keep you, your loved ones, and your equipment safe.

Overview of Common Home Oxygen Supplies

Common home oxygen supplies can include:

• Oxygen cylinders
• Oxygen concentrators
• Delivery accessories

Oxygen delivery accessories are items that help you maximize your oxygen therapy. This can include nasal cannulas, tubing, humidifiers, and more.

Why Proper Storage Matters for Oxygen Supplies

Oxygen safety practices are of great importance. Not only can correct storage organization methods preserve your equipment and help you get the fullest use out of it, but they can also keep you and your loved ones safe from potential harm.

In the best cases, incorrectly stored oxygen will damage your supplies and make them harder or impossible to use. For example, the valve may leak, and you will not get as much oxygen as you may have hoped.

In worse cases, however, a damaged oxygen cylinder presents a fire hazard. When oxygen sits too close to a heat source, it can cause nearby items to catch fire easily. If gone unchecked, a fire can start, posing a great threat to you and your loved ones.

Storage Considerations for Oxygen Cylinders

Keep Away from Heat

One of the most important considerations for safe oxygen cylinder storage is keeping it away from heat sources. Specifically, it is commonly recommended that all oxygen supplies be kept at least 10 feet away from any heat source. This can be an open flame, a cigarette, or even a hot stove in the kitchen (especially a gas range stove that does produce flames).

Stand It Upright

Another important factor for cylinder storage is that the cylinder should be kept standing upright. Lying the cylinder down on the floor, leaning it against something, or other unstable positions can damage the cylinder and affect your ability to use it. Store your cylinders in a position where they can’t tip and the valve is protected from impact.

Consider Tank Stabilization

To prevent the cylinders from tipping over on their own, you may also consider a securing tank. Upright oxygen tank storage will keep the cylinders stable and reduce the risk of them falling over and becoming damaged.

Storage Considerations for Oxygen Concentrators

Similarly to oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators also need to be away from heat sources. They also need to be kept in spaces with plenty of air flow.

Keep the Space Ventilated

Make sure that wherever you store your stationary oxygen equipment has a decent amount of air flow. A lack of ventilation presents some risks, such as:

• Overheating, which can damage the concentrator
• Mechanical damage from moisture or dust
• A fire hazard, especially if the surrounding area is dusty or has fabrics (i.e., from a sofa or bed)

Electrical Safety

In addition to proper air flow, oxygen concentrator placement is also important.

Oxygen concentrators should not be plugged into outlets that connect with electrical appliances or products, as this can overload the outlet and even create sparks. Electrical appliances can include:

• Hair appliances like a blow dryer or curling iron
• Electric blankets
• Electric razors or toothbrushes
• Electric toys

Managing Tubing, Cannulas, and Accessories

To make the most of your oxygen therapy, taking care of the accessories is just as important as taking care of your concentrator or cylinder.

Make sure your tubing, nasal cannulas, humidifier bottles, or other accessories are organized and clean. Be sure to keep them safe and away from where they could be stepped on or tripped over. If you have pets, keep your tubing or cannula out of reach to avoid them getting chewed up.

Be sure to also carefully avoid contamination. Keep your supplies safe and clean–never share cannulas or tubing.

Environmental and Household Safety Factors

We have emphasized strongly to keep your supplies away from heat sources. While many people may think of an open flame as a heat source, there may be some that surprise you. Consider the following for household hazard prevention.

Stay Away from the Kitchen

The kitchen is full of heat, like the oven or the stove. Even other smaller appliances, like an air fryer, can present a risk, as they are both a heat source and an electrical appliance.

To stay safe, refrain from storing your oxygen supplies in the kitchen. When using your oxygen, refrain from cooking with high heat or open flames, and be careful of any appliances that are in use.

A Caution About Smoking

Smoking and vaping both present a serious fire risk when done around concentrated oxygen.

Cigarettes and vapes are considered an ignition source, meaning they can start fires. As oxygen accelerates fire, smoking or vaping around oxygen supplies is a disaster waiting to happen.

The best way to eliminate the fire risk of smoking and vaping is to not smoke or vape, especially around your oxygen supplies. If you have visitors or loved ones who smoke, consider posting oxygen warning signage around your home to indicate when oxygen is in use and ask them to refrain from smoking inside.

Supply Rotation, Maintenance, and Replacement

Part of caring for your equipment also includes maintaining your backup oxygen supplies and having a regular supply rotation.

Be sure to check every so often that you have enough backup oxygen supplies for the future. Make sure it is also stored correctly and check its condition regularly. For example, if left unchecked for years without any inspection, oxygen cylinders can leak oxygen and fail to hold pressure.

Keeping up your supply as you use it is also essential. As you check on your supply and accessories from time to time, replenish it as needed. Consider, for example, these filter replacements for an oxygen concentrator.