A home health nurse is reviewing safety with the family of a client who uses home oxygen therapy. Which of the following information should the nurse include?

Home oxygen therapy requires strict safety precautions to prevent fire hazards and ensure safe use of supplemental oxygen in the home environment. Oxygen therapy increases the concentration of oxygen in the environment, which significantly raises the risk of combustion even from small ignition sources. Patient and family education focuses on fire prevention, proper storage, and emergency preparedness. Communication with local emergency services is part of ensuring rapid response in case of fire-related incidents. Rationale: A. Storing oxygen tanks on their side when not in use is incorrect because cylinders should always be stored upright and secured to prevent rolling or falling. Improper storage can damage the cylinder valve and increase the risk of leakage or accidental discharge. Proper positioning ensures stability and safety in the home environment. B. Notifying the fire department that oxygen is in use in the home is appropriate because it ensures emergency responders are aware of increased fire risk. Oxygen-enriched environments can accelerate combustion, making fires more dangerous and harder to control. Early notification allows emergency services to respond with appropriate precautions. C. Replacing cotton blankets with wool and synthetic blankets is incorrect because materials that are less flammable are preferred in oxygen therapy environments. Wool is less flammable than synthetic materials, but the priority is avoiding highly flammable fabrics and ensuring no static-generating or heat-retaining materials are used near oxygen. The focus should be on fire-safe materials and avoidance of ignition sources. D. Increasing the oxygen flow rate by 1 L if the client experiences dyspnea is unsafe unless specifically prescribed by the provider. Oxygen is a medication and must be titrated according to prescribed parameters. Unsupervised adjustment can lead to oxygen toxicity or suppression of respiratory drive, especially in clients with chronic lung disease.