If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), supplemental oxygen can be life-changing. This is also true for conditions like low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, or infections like COVID-19. For people with low blood oxygen, prescribed oxygen therapy can help the body receive the oxygen it needs. Some people find that appropriate treatment helps them perform daily activities with less difficulty.

But there's a tradeoff: supplemental oxygen also raises your risk of fire. Oxygen itself doesn't burn, but it causes other materials to ignite more easily. Oxygen can also make fires burn faster and hotter. That's why it's so important to know all of the precautions for anyone using home oxygen.

Supplemental oxygen provides a higher concentration of oxygen than room air. Depending on the equipment and prescription, it may be delivered continuously or in a pulse when you inhale. Many oxygen concentrators fall somewhere between a lunchbox and carry-on luggage in size. But carrying oxygen with you isn’t the only lifestyle change that comes with the extra breathing support. Using oxygen requires some changes to your daily routine. You’ll need to keep the equipment away from flames, heat, sparks, and products that can burn.

10 Home Oxygen Safety Rules at Glance

Oxygen feeds a fire. A lit cigarette, frayed electrical cord, or even static electricity becomes more dangerous near concentrated oxygen. That’s why understanding supplemental oxygen safety precautions is so essential. In this guide, we'll tell you everything you need to know.

Oxygen itself isn’t flammable—it doesn’t catch fire on its own. But it greatly increases the flammability of other materials.

What is supplemental oxygen therapy?

Supplemental oxygen therapy provides extra oxygen to people whose bodies have trouble maintaining healthy oxygen levels. It’s often prescribed for long-term conditions that affect the lungs or heart, like COPD, emphysema, and cystic fibrosis. More than 1.5 million older adults use supplemental oxygen for a range of health conditions according to the National Institutes of Health.¹

Oxygen can come from several sources: portable oxygen concentrators or stationary tanks filled with compressed gas, liquid oxygen systems, or concentrators that draw oxygen from the air. But no matter the source, this type of therapy must always be handled with great care. While oxygen itself doesn’t burn, it promotes the combustion of other materials by lowering ignition temperatures.

By following our oxygen tips and using basic oxygen safety precautions at home, you can enjoy the benefits of oxygen therapy while keeping your home and the people (and pets!) you care about safe.

How do I prepare to use oxygen safely at home?

Planning ahead helps oxygen use fit smoothly into your daily life. And it ensures everyone in your home knows what to do in an emergency.

Things to consider before you get started with home oxygen therapy:

• Adjust meal plans: If you usually cook at home and you’re the one on supplemental oxygen, you will need to make some adjustments. Do not wear or use oxygen while cooking over a gas flame. Keep oxygen equipment and tubing at least five feet from flames and heat. Ask your oxygen prescriber how to manage your therapy while preparing meals. A microwave or another appliance without an open flame may be a safer choice. 
• Talk with friends and family in advance: Let family members, friends, and neighbors know you use oxygen. Then they can learn how to stay safe when visiting. Walk them through basic home oxygen safety precautions. These include not smoking, avoiding open flames (yes, even candles), and being careful when handling cords or tubing. If you have a  caregiver, show them how to turn the oxygen on and off properly.
• Have a plan for power outages: Whether it’s from a powerful storm or an unexpected blackout, power outages happen. If you depend on an oxygen concentrator, ask your oxygen provider about backup options. The best portable oxygen concentrators will have portable tanks or battery packs. Keep your oxygen company’s emergency number handy. You can also let your local power company know that you depend on medical oxygen at home. They may be able to give priority to your address during outages.
• Change your beauty routine: Many cosmetics are petroleum-based, which is flammable. Swap your lotions and ointments out for water-based counterparts. You also need to avoid any hygiene or beauty products that spark. These can include electric razors, hair dryers, and other heat styling tools. Ask your oxygen supplier about specific devices if you are unsure.
• Investing in humidifiers for the home: Oxygen makes ignition easier, so even static electricity is a threat. Keeping the air moist, especially in the winter, can lower this risk. Many oxygen concentrators come with humidifiers to moisten the air in your concentrator. But this doesn’t affect the air in the home, so you'll want one for the house too.
• Review the concentrator’s maintenance requirements: Each oxygen concentrator has specific maintenance instructions. Most require regular filter cleaning or replacement. They also need the area around the machine to be clear for proper airflow. Read the user manual and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines carefully. If your concentrator makes strange noises, overheats, or stops producing oxygen, contact your supplier immediately.
• Make sure your oxygen concentrator can handle the climate where you live: Some portable oxygen concentrators are built to handle heat and humidity better, like the AirSep FreeStyle.

How do I adjust to life with home oxygen?

“Your oxygen needs should never limit your lifestyle,” said Ginger Villanueva, BSRC, RRT, RRT-NPS, manager of respiratory therapy and pulmonary diagnostics at Sentara Health in Norfolk, Virginia. When Villanueva saw patients, she considered how mobile they were or wanted to reasonably be. Then she looked for the portable oxygen concentrator that could help meet their needs and goals.

An oxygen prescription is a big life change, and change can be frustrating. But it can also be positive. Given that 1.5 million American adults have oxygen prescriptions, you are most certainly not alone. The American Lung Association has a list of virtual support groups you can join.

How do I maintain my oxygen equipment?

It’s vital to keep your oxygen equipment clean and maintained, with plenty of supplies on hand. These good habits will help your therapy run smoothly and reduce the risk of infection or interruption:

• Replace your supplies regularly and keep extras handy. Check your nasal cannulas, tubing, and masks for cracks, discoloration, or stiffness. These parts should typically be replaced every two to four weeks—or sooner if they show signs of wear. Keep a small supply of replacement parts at home so you’re never caught off guard. Many oxygen or durable medical equipment (DME) providers deliver supplies. Ask about their refill schedule and how to order replacements in advance.
• Clean the humidifier and other parts often. If your home oxygen setup includes a humidifier bottle, empty and refill it daily with distilled water. Once a week, clean the humidifier with a blend of mild dish soap and warm water, then rinse and air-dry it thoroughly. Regular cleaning wards off mold and bacteria growth. These can cause infections or block airflow.
• Store the oxygen tanks in an appropriate place. Keep oxygen tanks upright in a well-ventilated area. They should be away from direct sunlight, open flames, or heat sources. Never store tanks in tight or unventilated spaces, such as closets or under beds. If a tank falls, it could leak or become a projectile. Secure your tanks in a stand or holder several inches away from walls and curtains. Make sure the storage area is easy to access but out of reach of children and pets.
• Take steps to avoid running out of oxygen. Running out of oxygen can cause serious health risks. Track your supply levels regularly. Call your oxygen provider before the gauge drops too low. If you use a concentrator, make sure you have a backup source—such as a portable tank. This will keep you breathing in power outages or if you have mechanical issues. Set reminders on your calendar to reorder supplies ahead of time.

How can I feel more confident using oxygen?

Portable oxygen concentrators get more subtle with every product release. But you may feel a stigma attached to wearing visible oxygen. And there’s a definite loss of freedom if only a home oxygen concentrator can meet your prescription needs. It is completely valid to mourn the change in your routine. 

Feeling self-conscious about visible oxygen equipment is understandable. Adjusting may take time. Support groups, pulmonary rehabilitation, and conversations with other oxygen users can help. A carrying option that feels comfortable and suits your routine may also make it easier to use the equipment consistently. Many portable oxygen concentrators are now the size of a metal lunchbox, and no louder than a humming fridge. Plus, the concentrators come in semi-stylish carrying cases. 

While there’s no way to disguise the cannula, think about your oxygen concentrator as your ticket back into the world, not a dividing line to keep you out. Portable oxygen ensures you can still go for walks, fly on planes, and go to the grocery store.

People are more likely to notice your confidence, not your cannula. Continue about your life as if your portable oxygen concentrator is a normal part of it. Then the people around you are less likely to dwell on your new gear.

When we surveyed older adults with portable oxygen concentrators, the way it changed their physical appearance didn’t crack their top three concerns. Our respondents were focused on cost, noise, and whether their breathing actually improved.²

How to stay active while using supplemental oxygen

Before you undertake any strenuous physical activity, consult your doctor. Many lightweight portable concentrators use pulse-dose delivery. Some larger portable models provide continuous flow or both delivery types. With some pulse-dose concentrators, your breathing triggers the doses. So if you exert yourself, you’ll be breathing more and taking in more doses. Pulse setting numbers do not equal liters per minute. A respiratory professional should confirm that a portable concentrator meets your needs at rest and during activity.

Exercise and physical activity tips

• Talk to your doctor.
• Aim for exercise with planned rest intervals.
• Find the right oxygen concentrator carrying case for your exercise option (backpack, shoulder strap, rolling bag).
• Make sure your portable oxygen concentrator can still support your oxygen prescription if you need to breathe more heavily.
• Start slow and work your way up. Don’t start with hiking the Grand Canyon until you can handle the walk around your neighborhood.
• Ensure your portable oxygen concentrator has a long enough battery life to get you through your exercise and back home (or back to a power source).
• Use a pulse oximeter (one your doctor calibrated) to monitor your oxygen saturation levels during the workout. Your doctor will have given you a safe saturation range. If the workout takes you beyond that range, stop.
• Stay hydrated and fed—even if you aren’t on supplemental oxygen, this is a good exercise rule to follow.

How to stay social and connected with portable oxygen

Portable oxygen concentrators, at their loudest, hum like a refrigerator. There is no danger of you sounding like a leafblower and driving people away. You can still hold conversations at a normal volume.

Friendships matter as we age. Your portable oxygen concentrator is a great tool for getting out of the house and maintaining those friendships. Don’t let your perceptions of your new tool isolate you. It can help to keep the company of people who understand what you’re going through. So we've included a list of groups for folks using supplemental oxygen at the end of this article.

Traveling with oxygen: What you need to know

Many portable concentrators meet FAA acceptance criteria. The main concern with flying is whether you have enough battery for the entire trip. Before flying, confirm that your concentrator meets FAA acceptance criteria and that the airline permits your model. Airlines may require enough battery power for at least 150% of the expected flight time, including possible delays. Do not rely on an aircraft outlet. You may need to pack backup batteries or build in time to recharge the machine while it’s in use.

Contact the airline in advance to inform them that you’ll be bringing your oxygen with you. But know that supplemental oxygen will not prevent you from flying. Notifying the airline informs them of how many passengers are bringing oxygen. And it helps the airport provide you with an escort (a wheelchair or a golf cart) so you can conserve your oxygen. Contact TSA Cares if screening assistance is needed.

You can also contact your medical team and ask them to help you simulate flight conditions to see how your portable oxygen concentrator holds up.

Before flying with oxygen:

• Get a prescription and doctor’s letter to take with you
• Notify airline 48–72 hours ahead* 
• Confirm battery and weight allowances with the airline
• Pack extra supplies, chargers, and a backup plan
• Request a seat near an outlet

Common challenges of living with oxygen and how to manage them

Living with oxygen does come with a few practical hurdles. These include navigating your cannula tubing and changing your routine to reduce exertion. Oxygen therapy can also cause dryness and discomfort, but there are ways to combat that.

Cannulas

• When you use your cannula, make sure it’s not bent or blocked.
• Get in the habit of replacing your cannula tubes on a schedule. Mark it on your calendar.
• Consult with your DME provider about how often you should change your tubes.
• Change your cannula tubing even if it doesn’t appear worn or dirty.
• Keep extra cannulas at home, for emergency swaps.
• Protect your cannulas from teething pets by using oxygen tube protectors.

Cleaning

• The American Lung Association recommends washing your cannula once a week. You should also wash your hands before you put your cannula on for the day.
• If you use a humidifier bottle with your oxygen, clean it regularly so bacteria doesn’t build up. If you wash the bottle with warm, soapy water every time you fill it, you’re more likely to remember.
• Clean the filters on your oxygen concentrator as often as your instruction manual indicates.

Comfort

• When it comes to combatting dryness, use aloe- or water-based chapsticks and lubricants. Avoid petroleum jelly, as it’s flammable.
• You can ask your medical team or DME provider for ear cushions if the cannula is uncomfortable.

What are the side effects of oxygen therapy?

Home oxygen therapy is safe for most people when used correctly. But for some, it can cause mild side effects. These usually happen when the oxygen flow is too high, or the equipment isn’t being used properly.

Possible side effects of oxygen therapy include:

• Dry throat or nose
• Nosebleeds
• Headache
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Skin irritation around the mask or tubing

Small adjustments, like using a humidifier, can take care of most side effects. But headaches, unusual fatigue, confusion, or increasing drowsiness may require prompt medical attention. Contact your health care provider rather than changing the oxygen setting yourself. Do not change your oxygen flow rate without medical advice. Call 911 for severe trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, blue or gray lips, loss of consciousness, or another medical emergency.

What are the safety precautions for home oxygen?

Fire safety is the most critical part of using oxygen at home. Even a small spark near oxygen equipment can be dangerous. Follow these steps to help protect yourself and others:

• Don’t smoke: Never smoke—or allow anyone else to smoke—around oxygen. This includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Post “No Smoking: Oxygen in Use” signs prominently in the doorways or windows of your home. Remind visitors about your oxygen use before they arrive.
• Test your fire alarms regularly: Make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are installed and working properly. Test them once a month and replace batteries at least once a year. Consider using interconnected alarms that alert the whole home if one goes off. If you have hearing loss, you can install smoke alarms that use flashing lights or vibration alerts.
• Keep oxygen and tubing away from heat sources: Never place oxygen tanks, tubing, or concentrators near open flames, space heaters, stoves, candles, or fireplaces. Keep all equipment at least 5-10 feet away from any heat source, including gas appliances, kids’ toys with electric motors, and electric devices that get warm during use. Avoid draping oxygen tubing over lamps or electronic cords.
• Use water-based, not petroleum-based products: Oxygen reacts easily with oils and grease, which can ignite. Avoid using petroleum-based lotions, ointments, or lip balms while using oxygen. You should also skip aerosol cleaning products and those that contain oil, grease, alcohol, or other liquids that can burn. Instead, choose water-based products (e.g., aloe-based gels).
• Stay alert when cooking: If you’re cooking (especially with a gas stove) turn off your oxygen or move the tubing well away from the stove. Watch out for splatters of grease, since it can catch fire. Never cook over an open flame while wearing your nasal cannula or mask. Consider using a slow cooker or microwave instead of a gas range when possible—and keep a fire extinguisher on hand, always.

Resources for people using home oxygen

There are so many different ways to connect with other people who use supplemental oxygen.

• First, your medical team and DME provider can support you and answer questions
• Attend a Better Breathers Club meeting, virtually or in-person
• Join a Pulmonary Rehabilitation program
• You can join specific groups for others living with your condition, like the one run by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
• For troubleshooting instead of companionship, you can call the American Lung Association’s helpline at 800-LUNGUSA (800-586-4872) or visit Lung.org/helpline

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can you live independently while using oxygen?

Yes, you can live independently while using supplemental oxygen. But you will need easy access to all of your gear and backup supplies in case of a power outage. Ensure you inform the people in your life that you’re on oxygen, so they can advocate for you in emergencies and power outages.

How do you travel with oxygen?

As long as you have enough battery power—or a place to recharge—you can travel with oxygen easily. Just be mindful of exerting yourself. Many portable oxygen concentrators come with car chargers.

What is pulmonary rehabilitation?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an educational and exercise program. It teaches you about your lungs and your condition. The goal of the class is to improve your socialization, knowledge, and fitness.

Can oxygen therapy help you stay active as you age?

Yes. Oxygen therapy can help you remain active as you age. This is especially true when you pair it with a course focused on fitness (like pulmonary rehabilitation). In turn, exercise can improve heart function and help you live longer. It’s important to pace yourself and gradually work up to exercise. But the beauty of a portable oxygen concentrator is that it moves where you move, which includes exercise like walking and hiking

How far away should you smoke from an oxygen tank?

You shouldn’t smoke at all around oxygen equipment. But what if someone in the home smokes and you can’t avoid it? It's in the best interest of your safety to ask them to smoke outside. According to the American Lung Association, it’s best to maintain a distance of at least five feet between your oxygen unit and any kind of open flame (including a lit cigarette). Always turn off the oxygen supply and remove tubing before going near any smoking area.

Can you use a microwave while on oxygen?

Yes. It’s generally safe to use household appliances like microwaves, televisions, and computers while using oxygen, as long as you keep your tubing away from heat vents, burners, or sparks. Do not stand close to open flames or using electrical tools that produce sparks.

Are oxygen tanks flammable?

Oxygen itself isn’t flammable—it doesn’t catch fire on its own. But it greatly increases the flammability of other materials. This means that paper, fabric, hair, and oil can ignite much faster and burn hotter in oxygen-rich environments. That’s why it’s so important to keep oxygen equipment away from flames and heat.

Make oxygen safety part of your routine

“Living with oxygen at home gets easier with time—not because the risks disappear, but because the safety habits become second nature,” explained Dorothea Vafiadis, NCOA Senior Strategist for Healthy Aging. “By sticking to a few rules of thumb, you can protect your home and the people in it while continuing to breathe easier and live more comfortably.”

If you ever have questions about your oxygen system or oxygen safety precautions at home, reach out to your oxygen supplier.

To learn more:

• See our guides to supplemental oxygen therapy and how to use a pulse oximeter to check O2 saturation. 
• Discover our expert picks for the best medical alert watches and best pulse oximeters.
• Explore whether Medicare will cover durable medical equipment.  

Sources

1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. NHLBI Air You Wear Challenge. Updated April 3, 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/grants-and-training/air-you-wear-challenge 

2. NCOA Medical Core Oxygen Concentrators Survey. 300 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched July 2025