For decades, safety in the workplace has been taken very seriously for the good of employees, whether in an office, a factory, or any other work setting. In fact, from 1996 to 2006, the number of hospital visits for computer-related injuries in an office have gone up by 736%! With an increase in the number of Americans working from home, prioritizing the level of safety in a home office is a must. Take a look at some our useful home office safety tips.
Organize Your Wires and Cables
Organizing computer wires and cables is a simple way to avoid tripping hazards and to help get rid of clutter around the home office. Cable management products such as floor cables covers and flexible wire wrappers can help keep these out of the way. In addition to organizing the office area, organizing your exposed wires and cables helps extend the life of the cables in your work area.
Have a First Aid Kit Within Reach
Let's be honest, the chances of a serious accident occurring in the home office are not very high. However, there is a minimal possibility of an accident occurring. That’s why having a first aid kit within reach is a very important safety tip to keep in mind.
Also, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (known as OSHA) requires that places of employment provide a first aid kit for employees. That’s not the case in the home offices, but the fact that they are a requirement in the workplace means that you must place a greater importance on having the necessary first aid supplies, in case of an injury.
Take the Time to Stand Up and Stretch
Most office jobs demand that we sit at the desk, working in front of a computer for what seems like too many hours every day. Some estimate that we sit around 15 hours every day! That kind of inactivity can cause us several long-term health problems.
Health is a huge priority when it comes to safety at home and in the office. That's why Life Hacker recommends getting off the chair and moving around at least every half hour. The most important aspect of this piece of advice is to stay consistent with physical activity during the workday. Even better, if you work from home, you could elevate the computer and work while standing up, since sitting for too many hours is linked to cancer, obesity, diabetes, and heart problems.
Check the Smoke Detector and the Fire Extinguisher
Another safety tip all homeowners should put into practice is to make sure that all smoke detectors and the fire extinguisher are working. What’s the use of having them installed around the home office if you’re not 100% sure they’re working? Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers should be inspected about once a month.
Inspect Filing Cabinets
Filing cabinets are extremely useful to help keep your documents in a safe place, especially if you work from a home office. But, to avoid accidents and injuries, it’s advisable to inspect the filing cabinets every once in a while and check that they don’t have too much weight towards the top (which can cause imbalance). It’s also advisable that the drawers are never open and blocking the aisle.
Home safety is something of the utmost importance to you and your loved ones, especially if you have an office at home. Infinity Insurance understands that, and for that reason, it’s very important to have a reliable team at your service, to protect your home. Get in touch with an Infinity agent at 1-800-INFINITY or get an online quote today.