Your home should be a place where you feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable. And it’s where you keep your family safe, too. If you work from home, office safety is extremely important. Set aside time to go through your home from top to bottom to identify any hazards, small or large. Loose rugs that could cause a fall or frayed electrical wires that pose danger for both electrocution and fire.

Today, Expression Desks offers you some commonsense tips to keep your home and family safe.

Home Office Safety Key 1: Get an HVAC Check Up

Air conditioning systems can be prone to a buildup of condensation that can migrate into the air ducts and cause a buildup of mold. It can be detected by its musty smell. Mold can affect your system and is unsafe to breathe because it can cause respiratory problems. An air conditioning repair technician can remedy this situation by a thorough air duct cleaning and can also determine where the moisture is coming from.

Home Office Safety Key 2: Smoke Detectors and Fire Safety

Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors generously. They should be on each floor of the house, covering all sleeping areas. Replace batteries annually or purchase closed system detectors that keep their charge for ten years. To prevent the buildup of potentially dangerous cooking residues in your kitchen, add a range hood above your stove. This will pull the air toward the intake, ensuring that the other surfaces in your kitchen remain cleaner. Have an escape plan for every member of your household, including pets. And practice with everyone in the family how to use a fire extinguishing device or how to put out small fires with a fire blanket or bucket of water.

Home Office Safety Key 3: Electrical Hazards
One of the most important things you can do to prevent electrical hazards in the home is to install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) outlets. GFCI outlets are designed to protect against electric shock by shutting off power if it senses that current is flowing along an unintended path. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that every kitchen and bathroom, as well as areas with a water source, have a GFCI outlet installed. Ensure that all outlets are covered by safety caps. This will prevent children from sticking any foreign objects into them and getting electrocuted. Repair or replace loose or frayed
wires on electrical devices and check that no cords are run under rugs or across doorways.

Home Office Safety Key 4: Security Systems and Insurance
A security alarm is a system that detects intrusion and triggers an alarm in response. This can be done by sound, motion, heat, smoke, or other methods. Video doorbells work the same way as security cameras, capturing video, either during the day or at night, via infrared LED sensors or a spotlight, and audio through a speaker and microphone. You can watch the video live from your smartphone from anywhere and even speak to the person at the door. Just be sure to keep troubleshooting resources handy if there are
issues. They are one of the most affordable home security systems for keeping an eye on the outside of your home. You should also look into your insurance policies and make sure they cover what you think they cover. For instance, do you need to purchase additional flood insurance? What are your deductibles? It’s definitely better to answer these types of questions now, rather than in the wake of a potentially budget-breaking disaster.

Home Office Safety Key 5: Outdoor Safety Check

Outdoor security lights are an effective but inexpensive way to secure your home. Make sure your house number is easily visible in case emergency services are dispatched to your home. You should have a fence around your pool and remove the ladder when you’re not using it. Check play sets to be sure there are no loose parts or exposed nails and put away any ladders or tools.

Home Office Safety Key 6: Keeping Safe at the Office
Many of the same safety measures you take at home you should also extend to your office, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Remember that you may be able to take deductions for improvement costs if they are for a home-based business. Consult IRS guidelines or an accountant for more information if necessary. In addition, make sure that all the walkways and emergency exits are clear of boxes, filing cabinets, trash, or other obstacles. It’s important that employees be able to exit the building in case of a fire or any other disaster. Create a written disaster plan and review it with your employees, so they know what to do when an emergency occurs. Properly lit parking areas, as well as exits, are critical for the safety of your employees. Consider LED outside lighting for exits and parking as they disperse their light more effectively and last years longer than standard lights. Integrated security systems are important in protecting your business and deterring thieves. They are designed to send alerts and dispatch police if they detect a break-in. They can also control your HVAC system and power down your office equipment.
If it’s your responsibility to ensure the safety of your home and office, then create a checklist that includes fire and electrical safety and security alarms for your home and office. That way, you can ensure that your family and your employees have easy escape routes and a disaster plan that is rehearsed. Many accidents and disasters can be avoided by following these tried and tested safety protocols.

For an extensive selection of desks and accessories, visit Expression Desks online today!