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Fire alarm in seniors' residence: 59-year-old injures himself while smoking
Fire brigade operation in Eissendorf: 59-year-old lights cigarettes on an oxygen bottle and suffers severe burns.
Fire alarm in seniors' residence: 59-year-old injures himself while smoking
In a dramatic situation in the St. Vinzenz Catholic retirement community in Hamburg-Eißendorf, a serious incident occurred this morning. At around 7:12 a.m., a 59-year-old resident lit a cigarette even though he was connected to an oxygen tank. This led to a dangerous deflagration in which the oxygen supply hose caught fire. How Süderelbe24 reports, a nurse acted quickly and poured water on the man, extinguishing the flames.
However, the incident had serious consequences for the resident. He suffered severe burns to his face and had to be treated immediately by an emergency doctor before he was transported to AK Harburg in an ambulance. The fire department was on site with several emergency services to deal with the situation and ensure that there were no further dangers.
Dangers of oxygen therapy
This tragic event sheds light on the dangers associated with oxygen therapy. Oxygen is often used in patients who suffer from diseases with reduced oxygen levels in the blood, such as lung disease or heart disease. Loud geriatric nursing student It is important that oxygen is only administered on doctor's orders as it is considered a medicine. However, in emergency situations, nurses are allowed to administer oxygen until a doctor arrives.
There are a variety of safety measures that must be followed when using oxygen cylinders. These must not be stored near fire and it is important that they are transported correctly to avoid an explosion. Safety guidelines also require that oxygen cylinders always be secured upright or stored lying down to minimize risk.
Take special care when smoking
For people who rely on long-term oxygen therapy, smoking is an absolute no-go. More than 160,000 people in Germany require this therapy, and the risk of fire increases significantly in oxygen-enriched environments. How Lung doctors on the network As noted, even an increase in the oxygen content to around 30% compared to normal room air (approx. 21% oxygen) can significantly increase the risk of fire accidents.
In addition, it is advised to pay particular attention when shaving and using cosmetics to avoid further increasing the risk of fire. The use of products containing alcohol or oil should be avoided and water-based products should be used instead.
Today's incidents clearly demonstrate the importance of education and compliance with safety regulations when handling oxygen. The incident at the senior living facility could also spark a broader discussion about the need for these safety measures in nursing homes.