Many Australians have been working from home for years while others just started when the pandemic hit. No matter if you’re an old remote worker or a new addition to our ranks, it’s important to practice proper work-from-home safety tips, especially those concerning electrical safety. All of a sudden, having to use many electronic components in your home for 8 hours can be dangerous unless you follow certain safety rules. If you want to stay safe and comfortable while working remotely, here’s what you need to do:

Inspect your cables

Before you start making any furniture, electronics and design changes to your home office, it’s necessary to inspect your existing electronics. This is especially important if you’re using older equipment that might have some cords that are damaged or worn out. Take a good look at your cables and look for discolouration and fraying. This damage can cause shocks to people and spark fires—these need to be replaced.

Unplug unused appliances

If you want to save money on electricity in the long run, make sure to unplug appliances when you’re not using them, usually after your work day is over. This habit not only reduces electricity waste but also minimizes the possibility of electric shocks, fires and explosions. Whenever you’re done with your work day, make sure to unplug things like monitors, TVs, modems, printers, scanners and stereos.

Don’t overload your outlets

Remote workers that have a designated room for their work are very lucky that they don’t have to share their workspace with the rest of the household. Lucky Australians with a separate home office might also be tempted to completely replicate their usual work environment by introducing various elements into their workspace—dual monitors, printers, scanners, chargers, etc. All of these require electricity access, and there’s a big chance that you don’t have that many outlets. In that case, you can call your trusted Brisbane electrician to upgrade your switchboard that can handle additional appliances and machines. Also, you can increase the number of outlets.

Don’t overuse extension cords

When you want to increase the number of outlets quickly without any upgrades to your space, the easiest thing you can do is add an extension cord or two to your space. While this solution is practical, it’s definitely not safe for long-term use. Extension cords are meant to be used in a pinch and only on smaller appliances that don’t require too much electricity to run—keep that in mind when you want to plug in your desktop computer, printer or scanner, and especially cooling and heating units.

Ensure proper equipment placement

One very concerning fact is that many remote workers tend to work on their beds, leaving their laptops and other electronics on the bed. This habit can be very dangerous, especially if the devices are charging. While charging, devices have the highest level of overheating and the biggest risk of fire, so they should never be left on the bed unattended.

Be careful where you run cords

Cords and cables running all over your home office look ugly and disorganized, that’s true. However, it’s crucial not to let them run under rugs and carpets. This can be a serious fire hazard that’s also a perfect trap for trips and falls. Instead, grab cable organizers to keep your cables protected and neat. You can also use zip ties and cable sleeves to elevate your cords and let them run behind furniture, against the walls and behind art. If you have pets and young kids who love to come into your office, this is a crucial step for safety.

Install smoke alarms

With additional equipment in your home, it’s important to install additional smoke detectors to your home, especially in your home office. Choose smart smoke detectors that can connect to your phone and set notifications when they activate. These devices can alert you in case of a fire no matter if you’re in your office, living room or other parts of the world. Smoke detectors are crucial for electrical safety, so make sure to test them regularly, change batteries at least once a year and replace all units after 10 years.

Working from home is a blessing for many Australians, but only if they practice proper electrical safety in their home offices. If you’re a remote worker, make sure to remember these tips and practice them daily so you can stay safe.