Properties of Oxygen

Oxygen is a colourless, odourless gas which is slightly denser than air. It forms 21% of the air around us.

Most complex forms of life rely on Oxygen to provide the energy they need to "fuel" their physical function. Hence being deprived of Oxygen can be detrimental to their wellbeing.

Oxygen is one of the three components required for a fire to burn, the other two being fuel and an ignition source.

Oxygen is not itself flammable but does cause rapid burning.

Oxygen itself has no colour and no smell, so in general there will be nothing to alert you if there is more Oxygen than normal in the air.

Higher concentrations of Oxygen than normal can have two major effects:

• Substances which would not normally catch fire may actually do so
• Substances which will normally burn or catch fire will do so at lower temperatures.

For this reason, we ask you to observe the following simple safety rules when using and/or handling medical Oxygen equipment.

Please speak to your homecare technician or call us if you are unsure of what to do in any respect.

Note: Additional safety information can be found in the product specific sections of our website.

Using, Carrying and Storing Oxygen Equipment