My sister has cluster headaches.  She is afraid to get oxygen because she has a small apartment and she smokes.  She is afraid that she might fall asleep while using the oxygen and then it will leak into her apartment and make it explosive if she lights a match.  She also has a dog, and she's afraid that too much oxygen if she falls asleep might hurt her dog, or that her dogs will chew through the tube and oxygen will leak out.  Or that she will set herself on fire if she smokes aftre using the oxygen.  I know she needs this.  I hate to see how much she suffers.  Any advice will help.  She has a balcony.  Could she keep here oxygen tank there?  THANK YOU!

She might do better smoking on the balcony and keeping the oxygen inside.

It is unlikely that anyone will fall asleep whilst in the middle of a CH, so that is a low risk.

"Too much oxygen" won't hurt a dog. Previous forum posts have shown how naval pilots use oxygen from take off to landing on long flights, similar astronauts. Once the regulator is turned off there are no problems from the dog chewing through the tube other than the tube needing to be replaced.

There is a risk that in using oxygen that things can become saturated with oxygen for a while, making a naked flame dangerous.

She might want to evaluate if she gives up smoking to avoid this being an issue. Clearly this isn't easy given the highly addictive nature of smoking, however the pain from CH can be a strong motivator.

helen_back wrote on Jul 17^th, 2013 at 6:05pm:


I think there is often a misconception that Oxygen is actually a "fuel" and is in and of itself flammable, like propane or natural gas. It is not. Oxygen is all around us in the air and the air does not "explode" when you light a match. Oxygen however aids in the combustion of anything flammable and "pure" Oxygen will GREATLY enhance the combustion of any flammable object, and for that reason it should be respected.

I too smoke (unfortunately) and also live in a very small apartment. I keep my O2 in my bedroom and rarely if ever smoke there. Personally, after 8 years now of having 02 at my disposal, I have NEVER fallen asleep with it on. Not even close. Also, like most CHers every last single molecule of that 02 goes in my lungs, not in my apartment. (Which brings up a good point about having the proper mask and equipment, please read the 02 info accessible from the menu on the left of the page if you haven't already). About the only thing more flammable than usual would maybe be the reservoir bag, so I don't get my lighter or lit cigarette anywhere near that.

It's pretty simple really and basic common sense will keep her safe. Don't EVER smoke with the O2 running and don't keep the O2 equipment anywhere that you might come in contact with when smoking.

THANK YOU all very much.  What a kind group of people you are!  I hope I can get my sister to come here herself. I think it would be good for her.  You are the best.

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G'day Mark,
The above post will affirm why i said "SOME".

Hoppy.