With remote work becoming the new normal these days, many workers have had to create their own workspaces at home and adopt several mechanisms to harmonize work and home life. 

Although very ideal to many, the work-from-home scheme does come with several drawbacks, and if these are not properly addressed could actually result in life-threatening situations. 

As numerous workers have had to adapt to new working routines, many still have insufficient knowledge with regard to the risks of unsafe electrical setups and practices.

Remote work requires the use of electrical equipment on many occasions. Laptops, desktop computers, tablets, heaters, fans, air-conditioning units, among others, require a lot of electrical use and we may be exposing ourselves to unnecessary risk by using substandard and improper equipment while operating these machines.

A study conducted by the Charity has found that forty-four (44%) of those working from home are using leads, adapters, and extension wires in their workspaces. Some have even admitted to “daisy-chaining” or plugging their extension wires into another in order to reach further or plug more appliances. 

To address these, LFS Consulting is recommending the following safety precautions:

Avoid charging electrical equipment on bed

Electricity can cause fire, especially when it comes into contact with highly combustible materials such as linens and bed covers.

Never charge your computers, camera, tablets, cellphones, and the like in your bed. You are not only exposing yourself to unnecessary harm but also the danger of your bed catching on fire is quite imminent.

Likewise, do not use your electrical equipment while they are charging. The danger of getting electrocuted is highly likely and several cases of death due to electrocution from the use of cellphones while charging have been reported on many occasions. Do not allow yourself to be a part of the statistics.

Keep workstations tidy

Several accidents have occurred because there are no proper organizational schemes in place in home offices.  On top of keeping your workstations safe, you may be prolonging the life of your equipment when it is not in constant exposure to any type of corrosive substances and fluids.

On top of this, organize your pens, stapler, and other materials with pointed tips and corners to avoid scratches and corrosion in your equipment. Make sure that your laptop is well-ventilated and its internal fans are not overworked.

So the next time you order your drink from your favorite coffeehouse, make sure that you consume these away from your working table. The spilling of fluids on computers has been reported to be one of the major causes of electrical malfunction and even destruction of equipment.

Be mindful of your cables

Beyond electrical safety, disorganized cables can cause tripping accidents. Try using tape in all your cables and make sure that there are no protrusions on the floor to avail of any falling accidents. Make sure that these cables are secured and, as much as possible, avoid octopus wirings.

Do not overwork your adapter and extension wire

Everything has its limit, Including adapters. Studies have shown that common causes of electrical fires are due to the overloading of sockets, adapters, and extension wires. 

Avoid these destructive contingencies by investing in surge protectors and standardized adapters at par with the needs of your electrical equipment.

Be mindful of meal times

Working from home also means that we also get to eat home-cooked meals regularly. This is a welcome change and does not only allow us to save money but also gives us healthier options for our meals.

However, it is quite important to note that cooking also involves fire or electricity, if you are fond of the microwave. Do not get distracted with work, especially while cooking, because in fire safety, seconds of distraction could determine the difference between life and death.

Secure your equipment

“Shutting off” from work also implies shutting down your equipment. This will save you a lot on your electricity bill and will also allow your system to regenerate properly. Shutting down your computer protects them from data loss, especially when electrical fluctuations happen.

Avoid overworking your computers by putting them to sleep. Shut them down so that you also avoid any distractions during your downtime.

Collect devices and store them, and keep them out of sight

Being able to disconnect from your work fully allows your body to relax and prepare for a well-deserved sleep.

As our work and home life are slowly merging due to the emerging norms in the world of work, we also gradually,” expose ourselves and our families to the hazards that come with employment. By ensuring the safety and health of our “workplace”, we also ensure the safety of the people around us. 

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