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Safety precautions to use with medical oxygen
by William Timmons
Recently, I had the opportunity to write a research paper on medical oxygen use in the home. My department responded to a few fires that involved the use of medical oxygen, and these incidents spurred my curiosity on the subject. Just last month, we had another incident. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.

Is it time to include medical oxygen safety in our adult fire-safety messages?

Medical oxygen is an oxidizer and will allow a fire to grow at an alarming rate. The United States Fire Administration reports that “These fires are swift and fatal in nature, leaving victims little chance of survival.” The leading cause of medical oxygen fires is careless smoking. Ironically, smoking is the reason most of these patients now depend on supplemental oxygen to survive.

The next time you speak to a group of adults, including firefighters, you may want to share with them some safety tips for the safe use of medical oxygen. Smoking should not be allowed in the oxygen is in use. Never use an open flame, such as candles, matches, wood stoves, or sparking toys, when oxygen is in use. If your environment has a dry atmosphere, you should be aware that a spark from discharged static electricity build-up may also cause ignition. Oxygen should be stored at least 8 feet (2.4 meters) away from gas stoves, candles, lighted fireplaces, heaters, heat-producing devices, barbeque grills, toasters, hair dryers, and most other electrical appliances. Oxygen should be stored in well-ventilated areas. Storage in closets and behind drapes is not considered to be in a well ventilated area and should be avoided.

Oxygen supply tubes should not be run under rugs, and all family members should be familiar with the operation of the oxygen delivery equipment. Only water-based lubricants should be used near the patient’s mouth and nose; oil-based products are not compatible with oxygen. These products should not be allowed to come into contact with the oxygen equipment. Keep in mind that furnishings and clothes can become saturated with oxygen, and this saturation will cause a small fire to spread and intensify quickly.

Common fire prevention messages are especially important. The home should have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and occupants should plan and practice escaping in the event of a fire. Signs that read “No Smoking” and “Medical Oxygen in Use” should be prominently posted. The “Medical Oxygen in Use” signs will assist the emergency first responders.

I challenge all of you to include these safety messages in your next adult Pub Ed presentation. Medical oxygen users, their families, and first reponders need to ensure these safety precautions are followed.

William Timmons is a member of the Education Section Executive Board.

2008 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year
Dawn Cull, first grade teacher at Stone Spring Elementary School. Harrisonburg, Virginia, has been named the 2008 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year. She was nominated by Lt. Wanda Willis of the Harrisonburg Fire Department. Within the one year that Cull has been teaching Risk Watch to her first graders, her accomplishments have far exceeded expectations at the school.

With Risk Watch she developed her program, Wilco Warriors, in memory of Harrisonburg Police Department K-9 police dog, Wilco, who died from cancer after years of service. She has made Risk Watch part of her first graders’ daily classroom routine. As a supplement to the Risk Watch safety messages, students receive a Wilco Warriors handbook filled with quizzes to reinforce the lessons. A Wilco puppet is also a fun and educational tool in the program. The year of lessons concludes with a Wilco Warriors obstacle course to demonstrate the lessons learned and to remind parents and children about the safety issues taught throughout the year.

"The students have all responded so well to learning about safety issues and they are constantly pointing out things that could be unsafe. I hope this fledgling program will become well known throughout the City of Harrisonburg and beyond," said Cull.

Cull will receive an honorarium of $1,000 and a Steuben crystal award. The Harrisonburg Fire Department will receive $1,000 to enhance its fire and life safety educational efforts.