The Fire & Life Safety Section (FLSS) recently launched an essential tool for Fire Chiefs and fire departments to address the hazards associated with Home Oxygen Therapy. This toolkit is invaluable for ensuring the safety of individuals using home oxygen, particularly highlighting the importance of installing thermal fuses on all HOT devices.
Key Points
Oxygen Use in the Home
- Approximately 1.5 million individuals in the US are on home oxygen.
- Up to 750,000 people smoke while using home oxygen - a dangerous mix!
- Alarming statistic: A home oxygen therapy fire death occurs every 4 days.
- NFIRS data: Smoking contributes to 30% of US fire deaths and 27% of home fires.
Involvement of DME/HME Providers
- Four national providers service between 600,000 to 800,000 Medicare patients on home oxygen.
- 46% of home oxygen providers report serving patients affected by smoking-related incidents.
Oxygen Use on the Go
- Highlighting the importance and effectiveness of thermal fuse technology in preventing catastrophic events.
Call to Action for Fire Departments
- Equip yourselves with the HOT Toolkit to increase awareness and implement safety measures.
- Spread the word about the crucial role of thermal fuses in home oxygen devices to prevent fires.
Let's work together to safeguard our communities and loved ones using home oxygen. 🏡🔥 #HomeOxygenSafety #FirePrevention #FireSafetyTips #HOTToolkit #ThermalFuses #EmergencyPreparedness
View Toolkit