Oxygen Therapy: Using Oxygen At Home | American Lung Association

1. Home
2. Lung Health & Diseases
3. Lung Procedures, Tests & Treatments
4. Oxygen Therapy
5. Oxygen Therapy: Using Oxygen at Home

Oxygen Therapy: Using Oxygen at Home Learn how to use your oxygen unit safely at home.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Email
• Print

Section Menu

Oxygen Therapy

• Oxygen survey
• How Can Oxygen Help Me?
• Getting Started with Oxygen
• Things to Know When Using Oxygen Therapy [Video]
• Oxygen Delivery Devices and Accessories
• Getting Started with a Home Oxygen Concentrator [Video]
• Getting Started with a Portable Oxygen Concentrator [Video]
• Getting Started with Liquid Oxygen [Video]
• Getting Started with Oxygen in Metal Tanks [Video]
• Oxygen Therapy: Using Oxygen at Home
• Using Oxygen Safely
• Traveling with Oxygen
• Supporting Someone on Oxygen

Here are some guidelines on safely using oxygen at home. Perform all steps each time you use your oxygen unit. The steps will vary depending on the type of oxygen unit you use.

Oxygen Home Use Guidelines

• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• Step 4
• Step 5
• Step 6

Step 1

Step 1: Check Your Supply

• Wash your hands.
• Pressurize your compressed oxygen tank or turn on your portable oxygen concentrator (POC). Follow the instructions from your healthcare provider or medical supply company.
• Check the oxygen gauge on the tank to be sure you have enough.
• Your medical supply company will tell you when to call for more oxygen, or the company will deliver your oxygen on a regular schedule.
• Check the water level if you have a humidifier bottle. When the level is at or below half full, refill it with sterile or distilled water. Ask your medical supply company how often you should change your humidifier bottle. This is important to prevent germs.

Step 2

Step 2: Attach the Tubing

• Attach the cannula tubing to your oxygen unit as you have been shown.
• Be sure the tubing is not bent or blocked.

Step 3

Step 3: Set Your Flow Rate

• Set the oxygen to flow at the rate your healthcare provider gave you. Never change this rate unless your provider tells you to.

Step 4

Step 4: Put the Cannula in Your Nose

• Wash your hands.
• Put the cannula in your nose and breathe through your nose normally.
• If you aren't sure oxygen is flowing, you can put the cannula in a glass of water. Oxygen is flowing if the water bubbles.

Step 5

Step 5: Keep Your Equipment Clean

• Every week, wash you nasal cannula, clean your air filter and wipe the outside of your concentrator with soap and warm water.
• Every time you refill your humidifier bottle, wash it with soap and warm water, rinse well and refill with distilled water.
• Every 2-4 weeks, replace your cannula or mask. Change every time you get sick.
• Every month, replace your air filter.
• Every 2 months, replace your tubing.
• Every year, ask your oxygen supply company to service your concentrator.
• If you use a transtracheal catheter, ask your doctor how to clean it.

Step 6

Step 6: Take Care of Yourself

• Keep your nose and lips moist with aloe vera or a water-based lubricant. DO NOT use oil-based products, like petroleum jelly.
• Ask your oxygen equipment provider for foam cushions to relieve pain behind your ears caused by the tubing.
• Tell your local fire department, electric and telephone companies that you use oxygen in your home. If you lose power in your home, they may restore it sooner, knowing you rely on oxygen.
• Tell your family, neighbors and friends that you use oxygen. They can help during an emergency.
• Call your doctor if: you are getting a lot of headaches; you feel nervous, agitated, drowsy or confused; your lips or fingernails turn blue; or you are having a hard time breathing.

You are not alone.

Many people with lung disease use oxygen. There are several ways you can connect with other people and lung disease experts to help you get started with oxygen:

• Call our free Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit Lung.org/helpline to talk with a medical professional.
• Get started with a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Trained respiratory therapists can help answer your questions about oxygen and teach you how to stay active.
• Discover new ways to cope with lung disease and get support from others who share in your struggles:
  • Better Breathers Club. In-person or virtual meetings led by trained facilitators that offer educational and supportive connections.
  • Patient & Caregiver Network. Nationwide, online patient support program providing direct access to education, support and connection to others also living with lung disease.
• Connect with other patients facing lung disease in one of our free online support communities.

Show

Give Monthly, Get a FREE Tote!

Protecting lung health requires an ongoing commitment from all of us. Show your support now by becoming a monthly donor.

Donate now

Show

Make a Donation

Your tax-deductible donation funds lung disease and lung cancer research, new treatments, lung health education, and more.

Make a Donation

Become a Lung Health Insider

Join over 700,000 people who receive the latest news about lung health, including research, lung disease, air quality, quitting tobacco, inspiring stories and more!

Sign Up For Newsletter Please leave this field empty GET UPDATES Please enter a valid email address, or wait for Cloudflare validation. Cloudflare currently validating...

Thank you! You will now receive email updates from the American Lung Association.

Freedom From Smoking Clinic - Huntingdon, PA Huntingdon, PA | Nov 06, 2025 Freedom From Smoking Clinic - Middlesex, CT Middlesex, CT | Nov 24, 2025 See All Events Back to Top Accessibility Skip to main content

Select Your Location

Select your location to view local American Lung Association events and news near you.

Zip Code

Or

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Update Location

Change Language

Lung HelpLine

Talk to our lung health experts at the American Lung Association. Our service is free and we are here to help you.

Call Our HelpLine

1-800-LUNG-USA

(1-800-586-4872)

Ask a Question Live Chat