Safety advice: home oxygen use, smoking and nicotine vapes

The National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT) has released vital safety guidance addressing the serious risks associated with smoking and vaping in homes where oxygen therapy is used. This guidance is especially important for patients with respiratory conditions such as COPD or pulmonary fibrosis who rely on home oxygen to breathe more comfortably.

Why Home Oxygen Increases Fire Risk

Oxygen itself isn’t flammable, but it is a powerful oxidiser. This means it can cause materials to ignite more easily and burn more intensely. In oxygen-rich environments, even a small spark can lead to devastating fires. Hair, clothing, bedding, and even skin can become saturated with oxygen, making them highly combustible.

Cigarettes and Oxygen: A Lethal Mix

Traditional cigarettes pose the greatest danger. Their burning tips can easily ignite oxygen-enriched materials, leading to severe burns, property damage, and even fatalities. Fires caused by smoking near oxygen equipment are a known and preventable cause of injury and death.

Nicotine Vapes: Safer, But Not Risk-Free

While nicotine vapes don’t involve combustion, they still carry risks:

• Battery hazards: Lithium-ion batteries can overheat or malfunction, especially during charging.
• Heating elements: The internal coils can become extremely hot and may spark.
• E-liquids: Some may be flammable, though more research is needed.

The presence of oxygen amplifies all these risks. However, vaping is still considered a safer alternative to smoking and should not be a reason to deny someone access to home oxygen if it helps them stay smokefree.

Essential Safety Practices

Avoid:

• Smoking or vaping in any room where oxygen is used or stored.
• Using open flames (candles, matches, lighters) near oxygen.
• Applying petroleum-based products near the face when using oxygen.

Do:

• Display “No Smoking/Oxygen in Use” signs.
• Store oxygen cylinders away from heat and sunlight.
• Keep oxygen tubing at least 3 metres from ignition sources.
• Educate everyone in the household about the risks.
• Install smoke detectors and keep fire extinguishers accessible.
• Charge vape devices safely and unplug them at night.

In Case of Fire

• Turn off the oxygen supply if it’s safe.
• Evacuate immediately and call emergency services.
• Do not attempt to extinguish large fires yourself.

Final Message

The NCSCT’s guidance is clear: never smoke or vape near home oxygen. The risks are too great. By following these safety measures, individuals can protect themselves, their families, and their homes from preventable tragedies.

For more information, visit https://www.ncsct.co.uk/publications/home-oxygen-safety-advice