Because of the epidemic, more people are working from home, making a safe and secure environment at home is more crucial than ever. More than 4.7 million people in the United States work remotely at least half of the time, according to statistics on remote workers. Many businesses are becoming more flexible and allowing their employees to work from home. However, working from home necessitates a few little adjustments to ensure your safety and security.

 

Home Office Safety

 

1) Use Safes and Alarm Systems

 

Credit: Hieng Ling Tie

 

Crime has risen dramatically as a result of the pandemic, from house invasions to drug trafficking. Because you will be spending so much time at home, it is critical that your home is secure against home invasions. Make sure you have an alarm system installed that will notify you if an intruder attempts to enter your home. You may be too preoccupied working remotely to realize that someone is picking at your door lock.

Another option is to keep a gun in a safe in your office at all times in case an intruder breaks into your home. Having a gun safe will ensure child safety.

Leaving your valuables lying around the house is not a good idea. Make use of diversion safes to keep valuables hidden from prying eyes. This one byTRAVAH can conceal small items like jewelry, cash, and other valuables.

 

2) Computer Safety

Credit: CNET

 

If you're running your business from home or working remotely on a laptop, you'll want to think about physical security. If you have to run a laptop power cord from a table to a wall outlet and someone walks into the cord, it might drag your laptop off the table and ruin it, or it could cause the person to fall and get injured - or both.

So if you're a laptop or computer user, make sure the electrical cords are in such a way that you do not need to walk over them. Set your computer screen at arm's length, with the top third of the screen at eye level.

 

3) Fire Safety

Credit: Fire Chief

 

Fire is one of the most dangerous hazards in the home. Maintain a clean and uncluttered workspace, with unfiled papers and combustible materials kept to a minimum. Make sure your workplace has a working smoke detector and a fire extinguisher. Make a fire escape plan keeping fire exits open.

Is there a kettle or a space heater in your home office? If this is the case, make sure that flammable materials such as papers are kept away from the hot surfaces.

 

4) Get Up, Stretch, and Keep Moving

Credit: The Economic Times

 

While doing any sort of remote work, you may tend to sit at your desk on your chair for hours without moving. This can affect your neck and it is incredibly bad staring at the computer screen for hours at end. So make sure every now and then that you get off your feet and start walking. You can move your arms and take some rest and regular breaks.

You do not need to work out to get some movement in your body but simply just getting off your chair and feet for a couple of minutes can do wonders to your body. It will improve your job performance and you won't suffer from those persistent body pains.

 

5) Electrical Safety

Credit: Blain’s Farm and Fleet

 

Overloaded electrical circuits and other electrical hazards are a major source of fire, so be careful not to overload outlets with too many plugs. If more outlets are required, have them installed by a trained electrician. Fuse panels or circuit breakers should be labeled. Frayed or loose wires, bare conductors, or broken insulation should be avoided in electrical plugs and receptacles.

Personal computers will not be adequately protected in older homes with two-wire grounded outlets that require plug adapters; three-wire grounded outlets are ideal. Surge protectors should also be attached to computer equipment. Ensure that your electrical components are properly ventilated.

 

6) Child Protection

Credit: Shutterstock/ Morrowind

 

Even if your child is old enough to care for themselves or you've hired supervision, it's difficult to avoid often leaving your desk to check on them if you're working remotely and your child is also at home.

Television is the greatest way to keep an eye on your child without interrupting your work. You may relax knowing they aren't in danger without your awareness and focus on your tasks undisturbed.

 

7) Don't Forget to Socialize

Credit: Shutterstock

 

It's vital to keep in mind that not all forms of stress are physical. Contact an employee you can call when you need to chat to help cover the socialization gap when working remotely. Alternatively, contact a friend who works somewhere else and is going through the same thing. It's also not a bad idea to join a social video call instead.

 

8) Air Quality

Credit: Healthline

 

Your health is dependent on the quality of the air you breathe. It's not good for you to sit in a cramped, windowless room all day. This can aggravate pre-existing health disorders or aggravate allergies. Ensure that you work in a well-ventilated environment and that you do not smoke at your office. Take a walk outside occasionally to get some fresh air.

 

9) Avoid Distractions

Credit: TechRadar

 

Work in a quiet room away from your family with the door closed if at all possible. To decrease or hide distracting noises, try using headphones, earplugs, gentle music, or a quiet fan. This will ensure that your work is more productive and you will be in a position to get more done.

 

10) Examine Your Posture on a Regular Basis

Credit: Performance Therapies

 

Maintain appropriate posture by paying attention to how your head, spine, arms, wrists, and feet are positioned. Basically, make sure your lower back is supported, your shoulders are relaxed (not slumped or lifted), and your thighs are free of pressure. 

 

Summary

 

Working from a home office is very different from working in a corporate office. It can pose a lot of safety risks that most of us are not even aware of. These common home office hazards and home office safety tips are sure to make your work more productive and efficient. You can now work comfortably from your home!