Oxygen Safety at Home: Tips and System Comparison

Home oxygen therapy is a medical treatment for individuals with chronic pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases who often require oxygen after being discharged from the hospital.

This supplemental oxygen significantly improves the quality of life for those suffering from hypoxemia, a condition characterized by lower than normal levels of oxygen in the blood. Over time, hypoxemia can lead to hypoxia, which is a low level of oxygen in the tissues. This is a serious condition because prolonged hypoxia can lead to organ damage.

Home oxygen can be prescribed for 24-hour use, during exercise only, or solely for nighttime use. The frequency and amount of oxygen used at home is determined by your doctor after many tests and evaluations.

When deciding how to use oxygen at home, there are several different delivery systems to consider. In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of each system as well as the safe use of oxygen at home.

Oxygen tanks, or cylinders, store compressed O2 gas under high pressure. They are available in various sizes from D cylinders with a capacity of 425 L to the most commonly available 3 feet tall “E” cylinders. If you’re wondering how to use oxygen tank at home, the answer is you’ll need more than just the tank.

In order to breathe oxygen from a cylinder, you’ll need a regulator and an oxygen mask or nasal cannula. The regulator controls the release of oxygen and reduces the pressure for a safe and adjustable supply of oxygen. You can adjust the amount of oxygen flow via the regulator. The regulator also displays the amount of pressure in the tank, letting you keep an eye on the your oxygen supply. 

Liquid oxygen systems contain oxygen that has been cooled to its liquid state. This occurs at an extremely low temperature of -183° C (-297°F). When you use liquid oxygen, the container that it is stored in warms up, converting oxygen back to gas form.

Liquid oxygen is stored in a large, insulating reservoir within the home. Smaller, portable units can then be filled with oxygen from this large reservoir.

Pros: Liquid Oxygen

• Liquid oxygen takes up less space than oxygen in gas form. In other words, a liquid oxygen system can store a larger amount of oxygen in a smaller container.
• Portable units are much smaller than cylinders and can be easily transported in a backpack or carried by the handle or shoulder strap. 
• Reservoir can act as a backup oxygen source during power outages or if your oxygen concentrator malfunctions.
• Users can fill their portable units themselves from the reservoir. 

Cons: Liquid Oxygen

• Reservoir needs to be refilled/replaced by your oxygen supplier.
• Care is required to prevent frostbite and cold-contact burns.
• More expensive than other oxygen delivery systems. For instance, when compared to oxygen concentrators, the cost of using liquid oxygen in the long term is approximately four times higher ¹.
• Liquid oxygen depletes over time even when left unused because it evaporates into the air. 
• Liquid oxygen is not permitted on planes.

Oxygen concentrators are machines that generate pure oxygen from room air. These machines require an AC or DC power source to operate. They work by drawing in room air, filtering out airborne particles such as dust and pollen, and forcing the filtered air through sieve beds.

These sieve beds absorb nitrogen, leaving behind air that contains more than 90% oxygen and a small amount of other gases. This oxygen is delivered to the user while the nitrogen is released back into the room. 

When deciding how to use oxygen concentrator at home, it’s important to think about how often you need to be on oxygen. If you require O2 around the clock, home oxygen concentrators are a better choice than portable oxygen concentrators because they are more durable and affordable.

Let’s look at home and portable oxygen concentrators in more detail.

Types of Oxygen Concentrators

There are two types of oxygen concentrators: stationary (also known as home concentrators) and portable. Stationary oxygen concentrators are large, heavy machines that generate oxygen flow ranging from 0.5 to 10 liters per minute. These machines provide a reliable source of oxygen as long as an AC power source is available. 

Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs), on the other hand, are smaller O2 machines designed for use away from an AC power source. POCs can be powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, AC power source or a DC power source (e.g. via a vehicle cigarette lighter socket). These devices are a preferred choice for on-the-go oxygen due to their smaller size, lighter weight, and increased safety compared to oxygen cylinders and liquid oxygen units.

To give you an idea of the size difference, the smallest portable oxygen machine is roughly the size of a 24 oz tumbler and weighs 2.2 lbs. The smallest home oxygen machine, on the other hand, is about the size of a small office trash bin and weighs almost 10 times as much.

When deciding how to use oxygen at home, it’s important to think about how often you need to be on oxygen. If you require O2 around the clock, home oxygen concentrators are a better choice because they are more durable and affordable than portable machines.

Home Oxygen Concentrators vs. Portable Oxygen Concentrators  

Home and portable oxygen concentrators differ not only in size and power options but also in oxygen output and price. Out of all of these, oxygen output is usually the key factor when deciding which oxygen concentrator to buy.

In general, home concentrators deliver a higher output of oxygen than POCs. This is due to the difference in oxygen delivery modes between the two types of concentrators.   

There are two types of oxygen delivery modes in oxygen concentrators: continuous flow and pulse dose. Continuous flow provides a steady stream of oxygen while pulse dose provides a burst or “pulse” of oxygen to the user only on inhalation. As a result, pulse dose machines deliver a lower concentration of oxygen compared to continuous flow machines.

Portable concentrators tend to deliver pulse dose oxygen while stationary concentrators deliver continuous flow oxygen. The smallest portable oxygen machine, for instance, delivers oxygen at 17.25ml ± 10% per breath or pulse. While some portable machines, such as the Philips Respironics SimplyGo and the CAIRE SeQual Eclipse 5 are capable of delivering continuous flow, the maximum amount they can deliver is much lower compared to what a home concentrator can provide.

For instance, the maximum continuous flow oxygen output for the SimplyGo is 2 L/min while the maximum continuous flow output for the Philips Everflo home concentrator is 5 L/min. 

In terms of price, portable oxygen concentrators are more expensive than stationary ones. They are typically double or even triple the price of home units and may not be covered by insurance.  If you’re considering renting or purchasing an oxygen concentrator, whether portable or stationary, it’s always a good idea to speak with your insurance provider about your coverage first. 

Pros : Oxygen Concentrators

• Oxygen will never run out and no refill is required. 
• Cost-effective: an oxygen concentrator can provide up to 1500 hours of continuous use. 
• Unlike oxygen tanks, portable oxygen machines are FAA-approved for in-flight use. 

Cons: Oxygen Concentrators

• Need electrical/battery power to function.
• Requires a backup source of oxygen in case of a power outage or technical failure.
• Older models of home concentrators can be quite loud.
• Some concentrators require filter changes. The exact filter change frequency depends on the brand and model.

Now that we’ve explored the various delivery systems for at-home oxygen use, let’s take a look at the safety precautions for oxygen therapy. Let’s explore how to use oxygen tanks at home safely and important tips for practicing oxygen safety at home.

Safe Storage Tips for oxygen cylinders

• Store oxygen tanks upright and make sure to secure them to minimize the chance of falling. Cylinders can be stored horizontally but care must be taken to prevent rolling.
• Store cylinders in a well-ventilated area away from heat and direct sunlight.
• Keep cylinders at least 5 ft away from electrical appliances.

Safe storage tips for liquid oxygen

• The reservoir that holds liquid oxygen should be placed in a well-ventilated area of the home because it vents oxygen continuously.
• Keep the reservoir and portable unit upright to prevent leakage. 
• Keep the reservoir away from any source of heat and open flame.  
• Keep the reservoir and portable unit at least 5 ft away from electrical appliances.  

Safe storage tips for oxygen concentrators

• Keep concentrators away from dust and moisture.    

Do:

• Post at least one “No Smoking” sign in a prominent place at the entrance to your home. 
• Make sure you are receiving enough oxygen by using a pulse oximeter to measure your blood oxygen (SpO2) levels regularly.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from open flames and any sources of heat. If using a portable oxygen concentrator at a restaurant, make sure to stay away from candles and warming burners. 
• Shut off the oxygen cylinder valve when not using oxygen.
• Educate visitors about oxygen safety at home. 
• Have a fire extinguisher inside your house and learn how to use it. 
• Make sure your smoke detectors work. 
• Run oxygen concentrators in a well-ventilated area. Make sure to leave at least 1-2 feet between the machine and the wall to prevent the concentrator from overheating. 
• Monitor your oxygen supply closely if using compressed or liquid oxygen. It is also important to give your oxygen supplier plenty of time for delivery and stay on top of weather conditions that can affect this. 

Do Not:

• Smoke or vape or let anyone near you do the same while you are using oxygen. E-cigarettes contain a heating element inside that are a potential source of ignition.   
• Use petroleum, grease or oil based creams (e.g., Vaseline) and lotions near oxygen. These products are highly flammable.
• Use an extension cord with your oxygen concentrator.
• Run your oxygen concentrator power cord or oxygen tubing under rugs. 
• Tip your oxygen cylinder or move it around the house by rolling it. Remember, the contents are under high pressure!
• Touch the frosted part of your liquid oxygen tank. Liquid oxygen is extremely cold!
• Try to “fix” your oxygen equipment yourself. 
• Adjust your oxygen flow without consulting your doctor. Your oxygen flow is your prescription and should not be changed without a doctor’s permission. Oxygen is a drug, so its usage should be based on medical advice. 

Now that we’ve covered tips for oxygen safety at home, let’s discuss how to prepare for oxygen emergencies. 

Have a backup oxygen source

Always have a backup supply of oxygen available in case of equipment failure, power outages, or other unforeseen circumstances.

If you’re using a home concentrator, make sure you have a backup oxygen source that doesn’t rely on electricity. This can be a portable oxygen machine, oxygen tanks or liquid oxygen.

Notify local emergency services 

Let your local fire department, emergency medical services, and utility company know that you use medical oxygen at home. They can provide you with a priority service in case of a power outage or other emergencies.

Have a backup power source

If you live in an area that is prone to power outages, you may want to invest in a generator or uninterruptible power supply (UPS). 

Keep emergency numbers on hand

Keep phone numbers for friends, family, oxygen supplier and healthcare provider in a place that’s easy to find. 

Educate household members

Make sure the people who live with you, whether they are family members or roommates, know how to safely use your oxygen equipment and what your oxygen emergency plans are. Some ways in which they can help in an event of an emergency is by helping you connect to your backup oxygen source or fetching your emergency phone numbers.

Oxygen users have plenty of options when it comes to choosing a home oxygen delivery system. From traditional oxygen tanks and liquid oxygen to oxygen concentrators of all sizes, there are many ways to use oxygen at home. Regardless of which type of delivery system you choose, it’s important to practice oxygen safety precautions at home for safe and effective therapy.

If you have any questions about oxygen concentrators, don’t hesitate to contact RespShop.com. Our respiratory therapists and sleep technologists can help you understand your oxygen prescription and recommend the best oxygen machine for your needs.

If you’re not yet ready to purchase, why not rent a portable or home oxygen concentrator? There’s no contract required and you can enjoy free round trip shipping if you live in the continguous US.

[1] Hardavella, Georgia, Ioannis Karampinis, Armin Frille, Katherina Sreter, and Ilona Rousalova. “Oxygen Devices and Delivery Systems.” Breathe 15, no. 3 (September 2019): e108–16. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.0204-2019.

[2] www.osfhealthcare.org. “Home Oxygen Safety,” n.d. https://www.osfhealthcare.org/services/home-care/home-medical-equipment/equipment-supplies/oxygen-concentrators/home-oxygen-safety/#:~:text=Always%20keep%20oxygen%20cylinders%20at.

[3] www.lung.org. “Using Oxygen Safely,” November 17, 2022. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/oxygen-therapy/using-oxygen-safely.