5 Home Office Safety Hacks
To many Americans, working from home is a dream job. Working in shorts and a tee shirt or typing all day in your pajamas can be quite relaxing. This is especially true when the daily commute is reduced to a trip to your desk, to the kitchen, and then back. But, while working from home reduces the risk of injury from traffic, there are still risks at home and ways to reduce these risks. So, here are 5 common risks and easy hacks to working safer and smarter:
1. Oh, My Aching Back.
While working from home can be relaxing, you need to establish an ergonomically suitable work environment. Writing from the couch or from a kitchen chair might not be the best for your back and neck. Poor posture is a primary cause of neck, back, and wrist pain for those working from home. Set your desk and chair so your computer monitor is at eye level. If necessary, purchase a monitor raising platform. And ensure your feet are flat on the ground. Also, if you don’t have a professional desk chair with appropriate lumbar support, consider making that investment. In lieu of buying a new chair, lumbar support cushions can make a huge difference.
2. Look Out Below!
I can’t tell you how many near misses I’ve avoided when moving from my office to our shared printer. So, watch out for loose cables and other things you may have on the floor. Ben Franklin wrote that there is “a place for everything, and everything in its place.” Keeping cords managed and out of the way will help you remain vertical. Maintaining an orderly workspace will keep you from making an unintended trip to the floor…and then the Emergency Room!
3. Lighten Up.
Working from home can place an inordinate strain on your eyes causing an annoying headache. So, locate your desk near ambient, natural light when possible. Reduce glare with curtains or blinds. Lighting and soft instrumental music can boost your mood and improve productivity.
4. Give it a Rest.
One of the benefits of working from home is that you control your pace and workflow. Being a creative, when I feel a little “brain dead” I often will take a quick lap around the neighborhood to boost my mood, grab some natural Vitamin D from sunlight, and clear my head. When I return to the keyboard, words flow. Others like to brew a fresh cup of coffee, and some play solitaire. Whatever you do, try to take a quick break every 30-45 minutes. Watch your output increase and your stress decrease. Be sure to stretch your back, do a few isometric exercises, and loosen up before returning to the grind….you’ll be glad you did.
5. Beware of Fire.
While no one aims to have a fire, working from home bears inherent risks. Try to avoid overloading outlets, using old extension cords, keeping candles lit near paperwork, and leaving candles and space heaters unattended.
If a fire does break out, are you prepared to put it out? If not, watch YouTube for fire safety tips and make sure you have a fire extinguisher available. You can also buy a fire blanket made of fire-retardant material to smother a fire. (If you do buy this item, some are single use only. I have a fire extinguisher and just bought a fire smothering blanket at Walmart for $20).
Speaking of fire extinguishers…do you know how to use one? If not, here’s a lifesaving acronym to remember
P.A.S.S.
- P – Pull the pin on the handle.
- A – Aim at the base of the fire.
- S – Squeeze the handle.
- S – Spray from side to side.
Well, dear friends and readers, those are my tips for running a safe home office. If you have any marketing or business questions, I’d love to hear from you. And we’re here to help you grow your business so don’t hesitate to call.
