April 5, 2023

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Fire Chief Christopher Norris

Contact Email:cnorris@easthamptonma.gov

Home Oxygen Safety Program

Easthampton, MA – Easthampton Neighbors is collaborating with the Easthampton Fire Department on a new Home Oxygen Safety Program.  This partnership is very important for the safety of all residents in our community.  Using home oxygen increases the risk of fires and burns. When oxygen is used in the home, the amount of oxygen in the air, furniture, clothing, and hair goes up, making it easier for a fire to start and spread. As more and more people are bringing medical oxygen into the home, they need to understand the new fire risks they also bring into the home.  A few safety facts to highlight include:

• No one should smoke inside your home- the fire danger is too great.  There is no safe way to smoke around home oxygen. Turning off the oxygen is not enough because your clothes, hair, bedding and the tubing are oxygen-enriched.
• Keep oxygen and tubing 10 feet away from heat sources such as candles, matches, lighters, heaters, wood stoves, electric razors, hair dryers, cooking stoves, and smoking materials.
• Do not use petroleum-based products such as oil-based lip balms or lotions. They catch fire easily.

If you are on home Oxygen Therapy, and would like the Easthampton Fire Department to check on you in the case of a power outage contact Easthampton Neighbors at: 413-225-1338 or email Easthampton Neighbors at EasthamptonNeighbors@gmail.com

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