Which statement best demonstrates safe practice for a school-age child on home oxygen therapy?

Which statement best demonstrates safe practice for a school-age child on home oxygen therapy?

• A. I will unplug the oxygen when the child naps
• B. I will place the oxygen device in a cabinet near the stove
• C. I will smoke near the child to test the scent
• D. I will make sure that electrical devices in the house are grounded

Answer: (D)

Safe practice with home oxygen revolves around reducing fire risk. Oxygen supports combustion, so any source of ignition nearby—heat, flames, sparks—can cause a rapid and dangerous fire. Making sure electrical devices in the house are grounded helps prevent electrical faults from producing sparks near the oxygen-enriched environment. Grounding provides a safe path for stray electricity and lowers the chance of a spark that could ignite oxygen or surrounding materials. The other ideas introduce real hazards: turning off the oxygen during naps deprives the child of needed therapy, placing the oxygen device near a stove brings heat and flame risk, and smoking near the child creates a direct fire and smoke hazard. Grounded electrical devices represent the safest, most prudent precaution in this scenario.

Safe practice with home oxygen revolves around reducing fire risk. Oxygen supports combustion, so any source of ignition nearby—heat, flames, sparks—can cause a rapid and dangerous fire. Making sure electrical devices in the house are grounded helps prevent electrical faults from producing sparks near the oxygen-enriched environment. Grounding provides a safe path for stray electricity and lowers the chance of a spark that could ignite oxygen or surrounding materials. The other ideas introduce real hazards: turning off the oxygen during naps deprives the child of needed therapy, placing the oxygen device near a stove brings heat and flame risk, and smoking near the child creates a direct fire and smoke hazard. Grounded electrical devices represent the safest, most prudent precaution in this scenario.