Residents are reminded to use caution when using medical oxygen around any burning or smoking material, including a stove. An elderly woman sustained serious burns to her face this morning as a result of cooking while using medical oxygen.  She was taken to the Burn Unit at University Medical Center for treatment and observation.

Medical oxygen itself does not burn. However, it enhances or accelerates the burning process and can result in serious burns to people’s clothing and skin. Medical oxygen should be kept away from any burning or smoking material at all times.

In the case of today’s incident, Las Vegas Fire Paramedics responded to a residence in the northwest part of the city at 8:08 a.m.  When the firefighters arrived they found nothing burning, but discovered that a flash fire had occurred at the stove. The woman told firefighters that she was about to start cooking at the stove when her nasal oxygen line fell from her face onto the stove.  The natural gas stove was not on at the time.  She put the oxygen line back on her face and then ignited the stove.  That caused a flash fire, resulting in burns to her head and face.  The fire self extinguished and there was minimal damage in the kitchen.