Breathe Easier About Fire Safety 
More people in Oregon are using home oxygen therapy than ever before. While oxygen helps you breathe and stay active, it also makes fire a much bigger danger.
Why is oxygen a fire risk?
Oxygen does not burn by itself, but it makes everything around it burn much faster and hotter. An increase in oxygen in the air and on clothes, furniture, hair, and bedding can make it easier for a fire to start and spread. Even a small spark can quickly turn into a large fire that is hard to put out.
Who is at higher risk?
Certain factors can increase the risk of a home oxygen fire, like smoking or tobacco use, physical or memory health issues, living in a rural area far from a fire station, or limited money or resources.
Stay Safe
Understanding how oxygen works can help you prevent serious burns. If you use oxygen at home, always keep it away from open flames, cigarettes, and sparks.
Let's Learn More About Fire Safety and Home Oxygen
Hover or tab over each panel below to learn how different actions can keep you and your loved ones safe.
Never smoke where medical oxygen is used.
There is no safe way to smoke near oxygen. Keep all smoking and vaping materials away from home oxygen.
Oxygen Safety
Keep home oxygen away from combustibles.
Keep cylinders five feet from heat sources, flames, and electric devices like hair dryers or heaters.
Fire Prevention
Keep oils, grease, and aerosol sprays away.
Body oil and hand lotion can burn easily. Never use aerosol sprays near oxygen equipment.
Hazard Control
Post reminders to be safe near open flames.
Post signs like "No smoking, vaping, or open flames" where oxygen is used inside and outside the home.
Public Awareness
Make sure your smoke alarms are working.
Test alarms monthly and replace every ten years. Ensure alarms are installed on every level of the home.
Detection
Be prepared in case of an emergency event.
Create an escape plan aligned to your ability. Know two ways out of every room and practice the exit.
Preparedness
Small Device. Big Impact.
Using home oxygen near an open flame is dangerous for you and for the firefighters who come to help you. To make homes safer, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is asking those who use home oxygen to install a device called a
thermal fuse.
What is a thermal fuse?
A thermal fuse is a small safety device that fits into your oxygen tubing. If the tubing catches fire, the fuse automatically stops the flow of oxygen.
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It does not stop a fire from starting.
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It does stop the fire from getting worse, which helps prevent serious burns and property damage.
Oregon’s Home Oxygen Safety Program
In Spring 2026, we launched a statewide program to help our most at-risk neighbors. We are partnering with local fire agencies to:
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Educate: Deliver education and prevention resources to high-risk Oregonians.
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Install: Provide and install thermal fuses and smoke alarms in homes at no cost.
More information about the pilot-program is coming soon.