Oxygen a lifesaver or a ticking bomb

As the country is already weeping over the second COVID wave the crises of oxygen cylinder rose in the country thus making forcing the needy ones in buying oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators for their loved ones in an attempt to keep them safe.

But little do we know is that the very life saving cylinders and equipments are a ticking bomb if not handled carefully

Oxygen might seem like a harmless gas but when oxygen is purified at high concentrations, it can become very destructive and one has to always handle oxygen carefully.

All home medical devices have specific safety measures to avoid injury and potential tragedy. Oxygen itself is not flammable, but if it comes into contact with a small spark or flame and a highly flammable item, oxygen can accelerate a fire quickly. The oxygen that comes from an oxygen concentrator or an oxygen tank is of sufficient purity to become a potent fire accelerant, if not handled carefully.

One should always be cautious and remember some important aspects to use the oxygen cylinders at home

• Do not alter, transport or handle cylinders incorrectly
• Do not change the labelling or repaint a cylinder.
• Do not transport gas cylinders in the passenger compartment of a vehicle.
• Do not handle more than one cylinder at a time, or roll cylinders along the ground, except on carts designed for handling gas cylinder.
• Do not use un-certified medical oxygen cylinders
• Do not re­fill cylinders that are not meant for medical oxygen (e.g. cylinders used for other industrial gases) and that have not passed a quality test by a specialist.
• Do not use oil, lubricants or alcohol-based hand sanitizer on cylinder’s fittings
• Do not attempt to repair a cylinder or a valve if leakage is detected
• Do store cylinders correctly
• Store all oxygen cylinders in upright position and nesting, with three points of contact.
• Ensure that the storage room is well ventilated, clean and not exposed to extremes of temperature and humidity.
• Keep oxygen sources several metres from ignition sources (for example, acetylene used in maintenance).
• Do not store your oxygen system near any heat sources or open flames.
• Do not expose your oxygen equipment to electrical appliances (such as electric razors, hair dryers, electric blankets, etc.)
• Check that all electrical equipment in the area near the oxygen is properly grounded.
• Keep the oxygen system away from aerosol cans or sprays, including air fresheners or hair spray. These products are very flammable.
• Keep the oxygen system clean and dust-free. The person who delivers your oxygen will show you how to do this.
• Keep the oxygen system in a place where it won’t get knocked over.
• Take precautions to avoid skin contact when filling your portable liquid oxygen tank, as frost buildup could cause injury.
• Electronic or battery-operated toys or appliances, such as a game controller are capable of producing a spark when used near oxygen; therefore avoid using the items around oxygen.

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