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FIRES INVOLVING HOME OXYGEN ARE AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM THAT CLAIM LIVES AND
CAUSE BURNS THROUGHOUT THE USA

They are a material public health issue. But there are solutions, including a
small thermal fuse device, or oxygen firebreak, that shuts off the flow of
oxygen in the event of a fire in the tubing.

Find out more



ABOUT THERMAL FUSE DEVICES

Thermal fuses devices have been provided to all Veterans Health Administration
(VA) home oxygen patients since 2018, but there are still hundreds of thousands
more who could benefit from them.

The States of Iowa, Washington and North Dakota have opted to reimburse (fund)
home oxygen providers for bidirectional thermal fuses through their State
Medicaid systems. This required the states to make a simple change to their
Medicaid policy. The policy change came about thanks to the efforts of many
people, including fire professionals and healthcare practitioners, who are
passionate about making a difference and saving lives.

Download support pack


SPECIALIST EXPERTISE CHAMPIONING THE ISSUE


RAYMOND A. REYNOLDS, MA, CPM, CCP

DIRECTOR OF FIRE & EMS/POLICE OFFICER

“There are over 1.5 million people in the U.S. on home oxygen to manage various
respiratory conditions and research suggests the number of COPD patients
requiring home oxygen therapy will rise dramatically as the population ages.
This means it is even more important that we act now.”

Download Raymond's Statement


GREG ROGERS

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS, FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY SECTION CHAIR

“As a retired Deputy Fire Chief, I understand that safeguarding lives and
property is paramount. The integration of thermal fuses devices into our fire
safety protocols is a critical step in preventing potential disasters and
reducing fire fatalities. By stopping the flow of oxygen during a fire, these
devices serve as a reliable line of defense, automatically cutting off the fuel
for the fire and significantly reducing the risk of fire escalation.”


ABOUT HOME OXYGEN THERAPY

Around 16 million people have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Lung
Disease (COPD) in the US – around 1 in 8 people over 45. Of these, an estimated
1.5 million require home oxygen therapy (HOT).

HOT increases the levels of oxygen in the blood, relieving symptoms such as
breathlessness and fatigue, and is an important treatment for patients with lung
conditions. This treatment is delivered in various forms: an oxygen concentrator
(that concentrates oxygen from the atmosphere), liquid oxygen (delivered in
large containers or ‘dewars’), and gaseous oxygen (cylinders).

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UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM IN THE US:

An estimated 100-150 people a year die in home oxygen fires in the US

Over 1,200 people a year suffer burn injuries

25% of incidents result in a whole house fire

Two firefighters were killed between 2017 and 2021 attending home oxygen fires

30-50% of home oxygen patients smoke, the leading cause of home oxygen fires


UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM IN THE US

An estimated 

100-150 

people a year die in home oxygen fires in the US

Over

1,200

people a year suffer burn injuries

25%

of incidents result in a whole house fire

Up to

52%

of home oxygen patients smoke, the leading cause of home oxygen fires


FINDING A SOLUTION

A collaborative, multidisciplinary approach has seen a dramatic reduction in
home oxygen fire deaths in England. Similarly, in Washington State, medical,
Fire-EMT services, and home oxygen providers are working together. This includes
conducting risk assessments, educating patients, and installing smoke alarms.

The use of a safety device – a thermal fuse (firebreak) – that stops the flow of
oxygen in the event of a fire in the tubing (now used in 25 countries around the
world) is also part of this approach. Between 2013 and 2017, only one home
oxygen fire death was recorded in England where thermal fuses are universally
used, among a patient population of around 80,000. That’s around 20 times fewer
than the US.

This approach is now being adopted in parts of the US; Washington, Iowa and
North Dakota began coverage of bidirectional thermal fuses via their State
Medicaid system in 2023, and multiple fire departments are undertaking
installation initiatives.

Find out how to seek funding for thermal fuses in your state.

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Join the cause and find out how you can help to protect your communities and
firefighters

Find out more




STAY UP TO DATE WITH LATEST NEWS


APPLICATION FOR MEDICARE FUNDING PROGRESSES

October 9, 2024

An application for a new reimbursement code for bidirectional thermal fuses was
submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Read more >>


NEW ISO STANDARD PUBLISHED

September 30, 2024

The long-awaited ISO standard for fire-activated oxygen shut-off devices for use
during oxygen therapy is currently at publication phase.

Read more >>


STUDY SUPPORTS ECONOMIC CASE FOR REIMBURSEMENT 

September 28, 2024

A new report published in the Journal of Burn Care and Research has provided
fresh evidence for the economic viability of reimbursing thermal fuses.

Read more >>


SUPPORT FOR ACTION ON HOME OXYGEN FIRES GROWS 

September 1, 2024

Organizations representing the homecare industry and the political establishment
have shown interest in the issue of home oxygen fires with briefings from
AAHomecare and Governors.

Read more >>


ARIZONA EVENT UNITES FIRE SAFETY LEADS BEHIND CAUSE  

August 17, 2024

The International Association of Fire Chief’s (IAFC) annual Community Risk
Reduction Leadership Conference focuses on education and training for the fire
services.

Read more >>


MORE STATES SEEK TO FOLLOW MEDICAID MOVES

August 3, 2024

There is growing interest in reimbursement for thermal fuses from fire safety
specialists in the States following the decisions by Iowa and Washington
Medicaid.

Read more >>

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© Thermal Fuse. All rights reserved | Privacy Policy | Website by Sharp Ahead