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Safety Issues for Oxygen Therapy
- Oxygen on its own will not explode, but it will feed a flame. Therefore, it is important that extra care is taken when using and storing oxygen in the home, and when using portable oxygen outside.
- No oil or grease should be applied to any part of the oxygen equipment.
- No oil–based moisturisers should be used on the skin of the nose or face, such as petroleum jelly; instead a water-based product should be used, such as aqueous cream.
- There should be no smoking around oxygen by anyone as clothing and hair can easily be ignited.
- Oxygen should be stored in a well–ventilated room, away from open or gas fires, water heaters or any other source of heat or flame.
- Oxygen cylinders should be stored upright and if possible in stands (available through your Dolby service engineer). Cylinders are under high pressure and a crack in them can be dangerous.
- When travelling with an oxygen cylinder in your car it should be safely secured in an upright position.
- If you are intending to travel on public transport (e.g. buses, taxis, aeroplanes or ferries) with your oxygen you must check their regulations before travelling as different transport methods have different regulations.
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