- Author
- Ahrens, M.
- Title
- Fires and Burns Involving Home Medical Oxygen.
- Coporate
- National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA
- Report
- NFPA USS73, August 2008, 37 p.
- Keywords
- oxygen | medical services | burns (injuries) | fire statistics | home fires | injuries | smoking | death | fire fatalities | fire safety | oxygen enriched atmosperes | regulations | flash fires | first responders | hospitals | costs
- Identifiers
- medical oxygen; fire safety tips for home medical oxygen users; medical and health care literature; oxygen use for unintended purposes; flash fires and first responder use of medical oxygen equipment; oxygen-related burns seen at hospital emergency rooms
- Abstract
- According to 2003-2006 data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, home medical oxygen was involved in an average of 1,190 thermal burns seen annually at U.S. emergency rooms. Data from Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Incident Reporting System indicate that, in 2002-2005, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 209 home fires per year in which oxygen administration equipment was involved in ignition. Forty-six people per year died in these fires. Smoking is by far the leading factor in these incidents. Several studies suggest that the number of burn injuries associated with home use of medical oxygen has been increasing over time. Fires burn hotter and faster in oxygen-enriched atmospheres. Things also ignite at lower temperatures. Strict requirements regulate the use and storage of medical oxygen in health care facilities, yet few regulations apply in the home environment. Finding the balance between preserving the patient's privacy and protecting safety is a multi-disciplinary challenge.