Cooking and oxygen: an explosive recipe

Background: Home oxygen therapy is commonly prescribed for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The risks of smoking while using this therapy have been well described. Objective: To discuss the Royal Brisbane Hospital Burns Unit's experience and present case studies which illustrate the danger of alternative ignition sources while using home oxygen. Discussion: The dangers of home oxygen therapy can be minimised by careful patient selection, education and ongoing monitoring. (author abstract)