The rise in fires related to home oxygen therapy (HOT) is a growing contributor to fire-related fatalities in the United States. The National Fire Protection Association reports a worrying trend: an average of one person using home oxygen equipment dies in a fire every four days.

Steps to resolve this problem have been taken, including thermal fuses designed to act as firebreaks in oxygen tubing. OxySafe2™, an FDA-listed thermal fuse, demonstrates the potential to decrease HOT-related fires when installed at critical points in the oxygen supply line.

These incidents pose risks not only to individuals reliant on home oxygen therapy but also to firefighters. Annually, two firefighters die, while many suffer injuries from responding to these fires. The presence of supplemental oxygen significantly increases the flammability of materials, causing more intense fires and rapid production of dangerous fumes.

Around 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD), with an estimated 1.5 million requiring HOT. The challenge is that a significant portion of HOT users continue to smoke, despite the known risks. Estimates of smoking prevalence among this group range from 10% to 50%.

The Veterans’ Health Administration mandated thermal fuses in HOT systems for veterans, which could save nearly $500 million in Medicare and burn care costs, and substantially reduce fire deaths. The adoption of thermal fuses is a practical and cost-effective safety enhancement.

A recent tragic event in Nevada, Iowa, where a fatal fire involving home oxygen and cigarettes occurred, emphasizing the urgency of implementing such preventive measures:

The use of thermal fuses can save lives, lower healthcare costs and alleviate the emotional and financial strain on communities, firefighters and fire departments that respond to these emergencies.

This simple yet effective solution demands action to stop the growing problem of HOT-related fires.

Reference: Fire Chiefs, I. A. (2023, September). Reducing Home Oxygen Therapy Fires and Injuries Starts at the Federal Level.