Healthcare facilities often have to use oxygen when dealing with patients. Of course that means not only do they have to use it, they also have to store it. Both situations provide their own problems, but a common problem is the danger of a room filled with oxygen. When a room where oxygen is in use is introduced to flame, whether it be a lighter, a cigarette, or any other type of fire, that room suddenly become very flammable, and very dangerous. That's why healthcare facilities invest heavily in oxygen in use signs. They're a very necessary reminder to those who don't know better and to those who have forgotten or who are absentmindedly about to open a door they shouldn't while holding an open flame. Hospital oxygen in use signs are especially serious and necessary, because hospitals use so much of the gas during their health care procedures. In surgery, in certain rooms and storage closets, oxygen rich environments are everywhere in a hospital, and workers and administrators, as well as visitors and patients, have to be very careful.

Oxygen In Use Signs

HSI has a wide range of hospital oxygen in use signs. We have them in different colors, different shapes and sizes, and with mixed media (pictures combined with written language). The most simple of the designs are rectangular in shape, and they vary from square to long, from thick to thin. Our most basic signs say simply "oxygen in use," or "oxygen storage." But for some people that's not quite enough; they might not know what that means in terms of danger, and they may ignore it without considering the warning. These signs are more helpful in situations when only professionals or experienced workers will use them. For the lay person, we have a variety of signs that make it much more clear that oxygen rich environments provide a real danger to their person.

We have signs with a single specific warning: "No smoking, oxygen in use." Or "No open flame, oxygen in use." There are signs that combine the two, and signs that include pictures of a lit cigarette and an open flame with large red circles and slashes over them, indicating very clearly that they are not allowed and that in fact they are very dangerous. These signs can be long and skinny, the better to place them next to doors so they can be well seen, or they can be large and square and very clearly visible from many feet away. Generally they are done with a red background, to indicate danger or emergency. Hospital oxygen in use signs can look a lot of different ways, but the message is always the same; no open flame.

HSI is very proud of our large selection of hospital oxygen in use signs, because they reflect our commitment to serving both the client and the healthcare visitor or patient. Our signs are durable, clear and easy to read, and they're very well made by experienced workers and high tech machinery.

Oxygen in use signs are used throughout hospitals and health care facilities as a way to inform people of the status of a patient that is on oxygen. Signs can be hung on the door of a room, or placed on the wall beside the door frame. These signs can be mounted on the wall permanently or be stuck to the room sign with an adhesive. It is important to know whether or not oxygen is being used for many reasons. Oxygen is an accelerator, so these signs let people know that an open flame should not be used around any patient on oxygen. These signs also indicate to health care providers any patients that need special attention because they are on oxygen. Many times patients that are on oxygen may also be on a special diet or have special needs that require specific attention. Oxygen is use signs alert a health care provider of the presence of oxygen and help them stay aware in case a dangerous situation were to arise.

Oxygen is not flammable on its own, but can accelerate a fire quite rapidly. Oxygen is used by a great number of hospital patients and signs indicating this use should be placed outside of patient's rooms. There are a couple different forms of these signs. There are signs that simply state 'oxygen in use' as well as signs that have no smoking and no open flame also listed on them. These signs come in a variety of shapes and colors and can be customized to match the color scheme of any facility. Many times these sign are printed in red, white, and black so that they stand out and are easily seen by the general public. Hospitals take extra precautions with these signs, going over the top to ensure that everyone is aware of the places that contain oxygen.

What Makes Oxygen Dangerous?
Oxygen is dangerous because it is an accelerator. Accelerators are not necessarily flammable by themselves, but any interaction between an accelerator and flame can be disastrous. In a room that is saturated with oxygen, any flame or fire could be precipitated immediately turn into an inferno. Oxygen on its own is not dangerous or harmful to anyone, it's when you combine oxygen with a flame or fire or spark that problems may start. Oxygen in use signs allow everyone to remain aware of which areas of a hospital require caution. These signs can save hospitals from lawsuits, and sometimes deaths. If a patient is on oxygen and a doctor or visitor comes in with an open flame or cigarette the result can be dangerous. A simple sign stating that oxygen is being used can prevent these situations from occurring.

Oxygen keeps a fire ablaze and an open flame can mean disaster if you're standing in a room loaded with the gas. Oxygen can easily leak out of the tubes that carry it to a patient's lungs, keeping the room full of the gas at almost all times. It is important to take extra precautions when in these rooms. An oxygen in use sign can be one of these precautions. These signs keep civilians from performing dangerous tasks in certain areas and constantly remind health care providers of the dangers of the gas. These signs can be mounted onto permanent rooms or stuck on to rooms that change frequently with an adhesive. An even better option for patient rooms with different patients from week to week is a door hanger that can be moved as often as you need. These hangers serve as a reminder of the oxygen in the room and are extremely convenient.

Here is some more information about oxygen signs.