Oxygen Safety in the Home

Your Guide to Safe, Effective, and Compliant Oxygen Use

At Alpine Home Medical, your safety is our highest priority. Home oxygen therapy can greatly improve comfort, energy, and quality of life — but it must be used responsibly. Oxygen supports life, but it also supports combustion. Following proper safety and equipment guidelines will help protect you, your loved ones, and your home.

Understanding Your Oxygen Equipment

Oxygen Concentrators

An oxygen concentrator takes in the air from your home and concentrates the oxygen content to deliver air that is 90%–95% pure oxygen.
It does not significantly reduce the amount of oxygen in your home because only a small amount of room air is used at a time.

Important:
Oxygen is a prescription therapy. It can only be provided and used under the direction of a licensed physician.

General Safety Rules

• Oxygen supports combustion. Keep all flames, sparks, and heat sources at least 10 feet away from your oxygen equipment — this includes the concentrator, nasal cannula, or mask.
• NO SMOKING within 10 feet of where oxygen is used or stored.
• Post “NO SMOKING – OXYGEN IN USE” signs prominently throughout your home — especially near entrances and any oxygen storage areas.
• Do not use oxygen near candles, gas stoves, electric heaters, hair dryers, or fireplaces.
• Avoid using petroleum-based products (like Vaseline® or oil-based creams) around your nose or mouth — use water-based lubricants instead.

General Placement Instructions

Proper placement keeps your oxygen concentrator operating safely and efficiently.
Do:

• Plug your concentrator into a properly grounded and polarized wall outlet.
• Ensure the outlet is not controlled by a switch or dimmer.
• Keep at least 3 inches of space between the concentrator and walls, curtains, or draperies.
• Place the concentrator in an open, well-ventilated area — not in a closet or enclosed space.
• If noise is an issue, the concentrator may be placed in a different room with tubing extended safely.
• Keep equipment away from dirty, dusty, or greasy areas.

Do Not:

• Use an extension cord or power strip.
• Remove or alter the ground connector on the plug.
• Block any air openings on the concentrator (often located below or behind the unit).
• Place the concentrator on soft surfaces such as beds, couches, or blankets.

If you’re unsure whether your electrical outlet is properly grounded, contact a qualified electrician for inspection.

Turning On Your Oxygen Concentrator

• Attach the tubing from your nasal cannula or mask to the oxygen outlet on the concentrator.
• Switch the power ON.
• It is normal for an alarm to sound for up to 10 seconds as the concentrator starts.
• Adjust the flow rate using the flow-meter knob to your prescribed Liters Per Minute (LPM).
• Only use the liter flow prescribed by your physician. If you are unsure, contact Alpine Home Medical before adjusting settings.

Turning Off Your Oxygen Concentrator

1. Remove your nasal cannula or mask.
2. Turn the power switch OFF.
3. There is no need to adjust the flow-meter knob when turning off the device.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Keeping your concentrator clean and functional ensures proper oxygen delivery.

• Check your flow meter periodically to confirm the liter flow matches your prescription.
• Twice a week, clean your intake air filter (the sponge-like filter usually located on the side or back of the concentrator):

1. 1. Remove the filter and rinse it under tap water.
   2. Shake off excess water.
   3. Dry completely with a lint-free towel or allow it to air-dry.
   4. Replace the filter before using the concentrator again.

• Never use the concentrator without the intake filter in place.

Alarms and Troubleshooting

Your concentrator may alarm in two situations: power failure or equipment malfunction.

Power Failure

• Check that the concentrator is plugged in securely.
• Confirm the outlet has power; check your circuit breaker or fuse box.
• Try another outlet if necessary.
• If a power outage occurs, switch the concentrator OFF to stop the alarm and connect to your backup oxygen system.
• Contact Alpine Home Medical if power is not restored promptly — we can provide emergency oxygen assistance.

Equipment Malfunction

• Switch to your backup oxygen supply.
• Ensure your humidifier bottle (if applicable) is properly attached.
• Check tubing for pinches, kinks, or blockages.
• Contact our office immediately for service or replacement.

HomeFill Compressor System

Some patients use a HomeFill unit, which allows you to fill portable tanks at home while using oxygen from the concentrator.
Guidelines:

• Connect the compressor to the concentrator using the interconnect hose.
• Turn the concentrator ON.
• Set the concentrator flow rate to 3 LPM or less on a 5-liter unit, or 5 LPM or less on a 10-liter unit while filling.
• Attach the cylinder, turn the compressor ON, and monitor the indicator lights.
• When the cylinder’s “Full” light appears, turn the compressor OFF and remove the cylinder.
• Repeat as needed for additional tanks.

Maintenance:

• Clean the compressor cabinet weekly with a mild cleaner and non-abrasive cloth.
• Clean intake air filters on both the concentrator and compressor twice per week following the same method as above.
• Never operate either device without a clean, dry intake filter.
• Schedule periodic equipment checks through Alpine Home Medical.

Portable Oxygen Cylinders

Safety and Storage:

• Always secure cylinders to prevent tipping.
• Keep all oxygen tanks at least 5 feet from heat sources (heaters, ducts, stoves).
• Store full and empty cylinders in a rack or laid down securely.
• Post “NO SMOKING” signs in every area where oxygen is used or stored.

General Instructions:

1. Ensure the regulator is set to “OFF” or “0.”
2. Remove the plastic wrapper from the cylinder valve.
3. Place the washer on the regulator valve yoke.
4. Align the indexing pins, secure with the “T” handle, and tighten firmly.
5. Open the valve slowly using the wrench (counterclockwise).
6. Check for leaks — if you hear a hiss, turn off, realign, and tighten again.
7. Confirm the gauge reads 2,000 PSI or higher for a full tank.
8. Attach tubing and set the regulator to your prescribed liter flow.
9. Place the nasal cannula or mask on and breathe normally.

When Replacing the Tank:

• Replace when the gauge reads below 500 PSI (or red zone).
• Never use a cylinder containing less than 200 PSI.
• Turn off the valve and regulator before disconnecting.
• Call Alpine Home Medical two days before you expect to run out to arrange delivery or exchange.

Emergency Procedures

If a fire occurs:

1. Turn off the oxygen source immediately if it’s safe to do so.
2. Leave the area and call 911.
3. Alert emergency responders that oxygen equipment is in use.
4. Do not attempt to move or save oxygen tanks during a fire.