No one should ever smoke around oxygen. Luckily for us, most people in our industry know that oxygen and fire don’t mix, or mix too well as the case may be. But how do you inform the average lay person not to smoke?

Besides education (which should be given when employees start and when patients are set up) no smoking signs are a no-brainer.

Typically, whenever you see a no smoking sign, there should be no smoking within 25 feet of the sign.

A DME should post signs on all of the entrances to oxygen storage areas, and also above the oxygen where it is stored. 

The US DOT does not require no smoking signs to be posted in vehicles, but does require that there be no smoking within 25 feet of the vehicle. Because of this, and accreditation requirements, it’s recommended to post no smoking signs in and on the vehicle. (For example on the driver’s side door and on the dashboard.) For extra credit, remove the lighter and ashtray from the vehicle, if it has one. 

At a patient’s home, many accreditation companies require that no smoking signs be posted around the home. All entry ways must be marked with no smoking signs and equipment such as concentrators are recommended to have small no smoking stickers placed on them. 

Accreditation companies also require the provider to educate the patient on oxygen safety — stressing that it is never safe to smoke around oxygen. Contact your accreditation company on their specific requirements.