Protecting Yourself When Using Supplemental Oxygen

It’s National Fire Prevention Week and in today’s blog, we want to talk about the dangers of using supplemental oxygen in the home.

Almost 200 home fires a year involve some kind of oxygen therapy equipment, “resulting in more than 70 deaths and 1,000 burns treated in emergency departments – most of these (more than 70%) are caused by tobacco smoking.” Given there are an estimated 1.5 million Americans using some kind of supplemental oxygen therapy in their homes, we are grateful that these fires don’t happen more often than they do.

It’s not the tank itself, by the way, which is flammable: most tanks are made of heavy-duty plastic or metal, and unless there’s a defect, they’re likely to stay intact. What generally happens, according to EMS 1, is that the oxygen regulator – the valve at the top – is either faulty or loose, or there is some kind of contamination, and oxygen can escape.

How can I protect myself when using supplemental oxygen?

EMS 1 recommends the following steps to minimize your risk of a fire or explosion:

1. Use regulators made with brass components. [Note from attorneys: brass burns at a hotter temperature than aluminum, so you’re safer with the brass regulators.]
2. “Crack” the oxygen tank briefly before putting the regulator on. This blasts any dust or other contaminants away, rather than introducing them into the regulator.
3. Once the regulator is applied, open the oxygen cylinder slowly.
4. Keep your regulators clean. Minimize the risk of contamination with any oils, grease or dirt.
5. Use oxygen tanks that have been properly maintained, filled and stored. The company that fills your oxygen tanks should be following DOT guidelines for inspecting and testing the tanks.
6. Avoid the use of two O-rings or yoke washers when putting a regulator on a tank. Whether it is done in an attempt to fix a leaky connection or inadvertently when the first O-ring was not noticed, having two can cause a leak.

What are the risks of fire and CO poisoning in winter?

In light of National Fire Prevention Week, we thought it would be helpful to discuss some other common causes of home fires in the winter. It’s important to be cognizant of all the risks that cold weather and winter can bring to our area – especially regarding fires and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Fire risks

• Increased use of heating equipment:Furnaces, space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves all see heavy use during the cold months. Improper or malfunctioning equipment, blocked flues, and placing flammable materials too close to heat sources significantly increase fire risk.
• Holiday decorations:String lights, candles, and festive paper ornaments can pose fire hazards if not used carefully. Keep decorations away from heat sources and avoid overloading electrical outlets.
• Winter storms: Power outages can lead to the use of alternative heating sources like generators or grills indoors, which is extremely dangerous due to carbon monoxide risk and fire potential.

Carbon monoxide (CO) risks

• Fuel combustion: Any fuel-burning appliance can produce CO, especially if not properly maintained or vented. This includes furnaces, water heaters, and even generators running outside close to the house.
• Blocked flues and vents: Blocked chimneys and ventilation systems prevent CO from safely exiting the home, allowing it to build up to dangerous levels.
• Improper use of alternative heating sources: Using grills, generators, or camp stoves indoors is never safe, as they produce high levels of CO quickly.

How do smoke and CO detectors work?

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are your first defense against a fire or carbon monoxide leak. There are two different types of smoke detectors:

Smoke detectors work in a few ways:

• Ionization – A small amount of radioactive material between two charged plates ionizes the air, creating a small current. The electronics in the detector sense the current. When smoke enters the chamber, the smoke particles attach to the ions and neutralize them, disrupting the current flow. The detector notices the sudden fall in current and sets off the alarm.
• Photoelectric – Photoelectric detectors are more sensitive to larger, white, or light-colored particles, like those emitted by smoldering fires.
• Sensor chamber – A computer chip on the circuit board monitors the electrical current. When smoke particles enter the sensor chamber, they upset the balance between the positive and negative electrical charge, changing the current flow. As the smoke gets denser, the imbalance increases.

Smoke detectors are typically wired to a 120-volt household electrical circuit and have a battery backup.

Carbon monoxide detectors work a little differently. The most common CO detectors work by measuring the concentration of carbon monoxide molecules in the atmosphere. They have a silicon microchip that sends an electrical charge to a detection chamber containing a CO sensor. When carbon monoxide enters the chamber, a chemical reaction occurs that causes the electrical current to increase. The amount of increase in current indicates the concentration of carbon monoxide.

If the sensor detects high levels of carbon monoxide, the microchip will trigger an alarm. At low levels (50 ppm), it may take up to eight hours for the alarm to go off. At higher levels (over 150 ppm), the alarm can trigger within minutes.

Where should I put my smoke and carbon monoxide detectors?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers a variety of tips on installing a smoke detector:

• “Choose smoke alarms that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Install smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• On levels without bedrooms, install alarms in the living room (or den or family room) or near the stairway to the upper level, or in both locations.
• Smoke alarms installed in the basement should be installed on the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs leading to the next level.
• Smoke alarms should be installed at least 10 feet (3 meters) from a cooking appliance to minimize false alarms when cooking.
• Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises). Wall-mounted alarms should be installed not more than 12 inches away from the ceiling (to the top of the alarm).
• If you have ceilings that are pitched, install the alarm within 3 feet of the peak but not within the apex of the peak (four inches down from the peak).”

For carbon monoxide detectors, the NFPA recommends the following best practices:

• Install CO detectors in a central location outside each sleeping area, as well as on every level of the home. The NFPA advises interconnecting all CO alarms throughout the home, so that if one sounds, they all sound.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and ensure you choose a CO detector with the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Test alarms once a month and replace per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• If the CO alarm sounds, move immediately to a fresh air location or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone in the house is accounted for, and call for emergency personnel.

What you can do to stay safe

• Have your heating equipment inspected and serviced regularly by a qualified professional.
• Keep flammable materials at least three feet away from all heat sources.
• Never use grills, generators, or camp stoves indoors.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home, near bedrooms.
• Practice safe candle use: never leave candles unattended and extinguish them before leaving the room.
• Have your chimney and vents cleaned annually.
• Know the symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, cherry-red lips, and shortness of breath. If you experience these symptoms, get to fresh air immediately and call emergency services.

By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of fire and CO poisoning during the winter months. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so stay informed and prioritize safety measures within your home.

If you are injured in a house fire, it’s important to talk to a York, PA attorney as soon as possible. At KBG Injury Law, our lawyers are well-versed in personal injury law and will work to ensure that you secure compensation for your injuries. For a free initial consultation, call our offices or submit our contact form today. We serve all of South Central Pennsylvania.