Despite the positive health effects you will get from using an oxygen concentrator or compressed oxygen, there are still some risks and dangers that need to be considered. This is a refresher, since your doctor or medical supply provider will go over all the safety precautions with you, and help you set up at home.
Dryness and infection in airways. You might experience a dryness in your nasal passages or your throat while using your oxygen concentrator or oxygen machine. You can even develop dried balls of mucus in your airways, which are dangerous because they can block your airflow.
Oxygen concentrators come with a built in humidifier that draws moisture from a reservoir that you have to refill. You should only use pure, distilled water in the reservoir to avoid build-up of calcium and bacteria. Regardless, you should clean out the reservoir at least once a week with hot water and a mild detergent to prevent bacterial or mold growth, which will cause a respiratory infection.
If you are still experiencing a drying discomfort in your mouth, throat, nasal passages or lungs, run a humidifier in the room with you while you are receiving your oxygen therapy. You will need to keep this clean as well, by scrubbing it out about every 2 weeks and rinsing it out thoroughly. Again, you should only use distilled water in your room humidifier.
Risk of combustion. Despite what you may have heard, oxygen itself is non-flammable and will not explode entirely on its own. Now, if your oxygen comes into close contact with a fire, even a very small fire such as a candle, it can quickly help fuel the fire and cause it to get out of control.
Stay at least 5 feet away from heat or open flames while you are using your oxygen, that includes people who are smoking or using a gas operated stove. It's generally a bad idea to be around smokers, anyway. Put up a sign by the entrances of your home to warn people that you are using oxygen therapy.
Stay away from flammable chemicals while you are using an oxygen concentrator. Store your machine in an open room with plenty of ventilation and make sure it is completely off and unplugged while you aren't using it. Keep any oxygen tanks in an open room and without anything on top of them or crowding them.
Other Dangers and Tips
Liquid oxygen in tanks is frozen at a very low temperature. It's so cold, that if it comes into contact with your skin, it will cause extreme irritation and burns. This can happen while you are refilling a tank with liquid oxygen, and you aren't following the proper procedure in doing so.
Anyone using oxygen therapy should make sure they are drinking enough water and staying hydrated. This goes double for someone who is ill or getting over being sick, or someone who has just underwent surgery and is home bound. Be sure you are getting enough water and other liquids (keep caffeinated beverages to a minimum) by filling a 2 liter bottle or pitcher with cold water each day and drinking from that.