Wilmington Fire Department promotes lifesaving device for oxygen users

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Fire Department is promoting a life-saving device that can prevent house fires.

A two-way thermal fuse, also known as a fire break, can be attached to home oxygen systems to prevent fire from spreading up the tube.
The fire department says in houses with oxygen systems, 73 percent of fires are caused by people smoking or lighting a cigarette.

WFD says that these fires are an all-too-common problem that claim lives and cause burns throughout the United States. However, there is a new device on the market that can slow the spread and lessen the impact of these fires. It’s a small thermal fuse device, or oxygen firebreak, that shuts off the steady flow of oxygen in the event of a fire in the tubing.

WFD hopes that all households and facilities that utilize home oxygen therapy consider purchasing this inexpensive, yet potentially life-saving, piece of technology. Attaching the thermal fuse to the oxygen line can stop a fire from spreading up the line.
Captain Gene Holland says the tiny device can save lives. “It comes down to prevention. It’s a way for us to prevent further injury, it’s a way for us to prevent full-on house fires when we can be dealing with an EMS call.”

The thermal fuses cost less than seven dollars and to purchase the two-way thermal fuse WFD is promoting, please visit here.