Using Home Oxygen Safely

Many older adults use home oxygen to manage conditions like COPD or other lung diseases.

It helps them to keep their oxygen levels at a good level that lets tissues get enough to remain healthy. As important as supplemental oxygen can be to the health of your aging relative, it can also be dangerous when it is not used properly. Oxygen itself is considered safe and isn’t flammable. However, it does help flammable items to burn faster and more intensely. For that reason, it’s important that the older adult and those around them follow some safety rules. Below are some tips for using home oxygen safely.

No Smoking

Not only is smoking and secondhand smoke bad for people with lung conditions, it’s also dangerous when oxygen is in use. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 89 percent of deaths associated with home oxygen happen because of smoking. No one should smoke near the person while they are using oxygen or near their oxygen tanks.

Elder care providers can remind people not to smoke around the older adult. If your aging relative smokes, an elder care provider can support them in their efforts to quit so that they can use oxygen safely.

Avoid Open Flames

Candlelight and a fireplace may be pretty, but when someone is using oxygen, they can also be dangerous. Keep all open flames a minimum of 5 to 10 feet away from the senior and their oxygen source. This applies not only to the senior’s home but also when they are in restaurants. If there’s a candle on the table, blow it out and ensure the older adult is at least 6 feet from all other open flames.

An elder care provider can ensure the older adult is safe around open flames and doesn’t use candles in the house.

Be Careful in the Kitchen

If your aging relative cooks for themselves, it’s important that they keep the oxygen source as far away as possible. They should also wear clothing that is not loose so that it doesn’t touch the burner and catch on fire. Splattering grease can also cause a fire when oxygen is present.

Elder care can cook for your aging relative so that they do not run the risk of starting a fire.

Avoid Electronics That Can Cause a Spark

Some kinds of electronics can cause sparks that can catch fire with the help of oxygen. If your aging relative uses an electric razor, they should switch to a manual one since electric razors can spark.

Some older adults use electric razors because their hands are too shaky to use a manual one safely. An elder care provider can assist them to shave using a manual razor so that they can stay looking sharp without the risk of a fire.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in Daly City, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855

Sources

https://medlineplus.gov/

https://www.verywellhealth.com/

Andy Howard CEO at HomeCare Professionals

Andy Howard is a Bay Area Native who holds a BA in Political Science (University of Colorado at Boulder, ’97). After college Andy worked in the surging tech industry. His Grandmother however, would suffer a significant decline in health and ultimately needed in-home care. The experience of a loved one depending on outside help to age in place proved to be pivotal for Andy as he left the tech industry in 2002 for an opportunity in the home care world with a large provider. After having success in home care, but being frustrated by corporate constraints Andy founded HomeCare Professionals in 2005. He methodically built the company one client at a time by focusing on hiring quality caregivers to ensure positive outcomes. Currently Andy serves as the CEO of HomeCare Professionals and is also highly active in the non-profit organization California Association of Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) which advocates for a higher standard of in-home care for those who wish to remain living at home in California.

See Full Bio