Consumer Product Update: Health Canada Warns of Fire Risk to Oxygen Therapy Patients from Electronic Cigarettes and Other Electrical Devices

OTTAWA, Nov. 24, 2014 /CNW/ -

Issue:

Health Canada has been notified of an incident in the Province of Quebec resulting in an injury to a consumer from a fire associated with the use of an electronic cigarette in the presence of an oxygen source. According to the information currently available, the injured individual was undergoing oxygen therapy at the time of the incident. Health Canada is aware of similar incidents reported in other countries. Health Canada is working with the relevant authorities to further evaluate the incident in the Province of Quebec.

Health Canada is warning consumers of potential risks of using electronic cigarettes while undergoing oxygen therapy. Electronic cigarettes include heating elements and a power source that may be charged from a USB port or a separate battery charger. These sources of heat may ignite the electronic cigarette if they are close to oxygen in a pressurized container, such as the ones that are used for oxygen therapy. Health Canada also warns that electronic cigarette batteries should not be charged near an oxygen source due to the risk of fire.

Additionally, Health Canada warns consumers that other kinds of electrical devices may have the potential to cause a fire when used near an oxygen source.

What you should do:

Consumers should not use or charge electronic cigarettes near oxygen sources, such as pressurized containers used for oxygen therapy.

Consumers should also refrain from using or charging electrical devices in proximity to oxygen sources, such as pressurized containers used for oxygen therapy. 

Consumers who are on oxygen therapy should always read and follow the warning labels on the container for the oxygen source.

What Health Canada is doing:

Health Canada is carefully monitoring the marketplace for information about safety-related incidents involving electronic cigarettes and other electrical devices. Health Canada will follow up with companies where products are implicated in an incident and take appropriate compliance and enforcement actions.

Health Canada continues to advise Canadians not to purchase or use electronic cigarettes as these products may pose health or safety risks.

Report health or safety concerns:

If you experience a safety-related incident relating to an electronic cigarette or another consumer product, report it to the person from whom you bought it and to Health Canada.

Related products:

Agence de la santé et des services soxiaux de Montréal Warning:  Oxygen Therapy and Electronic Cigarette Use

Également disponible en français

SOURCE: Health Canada

Media Enquiries: Health Canada, [phone]; Public Enquiries: [phone], 1-866 225-0709