Lifestyle

Electrical Safety Tips While Working from Home

After the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen that most companies have adopted a hybrid working system wherein the employees of the company have a mix of work at the office and at home. Although, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of working from home.

While there are many benefits of working from home, it's important to remember that home offices also come with their own set of hazards, which is why electrical safety is vital. Electrical accidents can occur at any time and can be severe and deadly. Therefore, it's essential to be aware of the potential electrical hazards in your home office and take steps to reduce them.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe while working from home –

1. Limited use of extension cords:

Make sure that you use extension cords temporarily. They are designed for and with the purpose of fulfilling your electrical needs for a short time. Also, do not use outdoor extension cords as a replacement either. Instead, purchase an extension cord online, as it gives you a wide range of options to choose from.

2. Unplug appliances when not in use:

Unplugging appliances when not in use can help prevent overheating and reduce the risk of electrical fires. Unplugging appliances with exposed heating elements, such as laptops and smartphones, is crucial when they are not in use.

3. Avoid overloading outlets

Overloading outlets is one of the important electrical safety tips anyone would give, as it can cause a fire. Be sure to use only one plug per outlet and avoid using extension cords or power strips that are not rated for the equipment that you are using.

4. Use of Power strips

Directly plug the power strip extension cord into the socket, or else the cord can overheat in line, which can cause a short circuit leading to the reason for causing a fire. To avoid overloading the power strip, only use one per outlet, and never use them to power high-wattage appliances like refrigerators or washing machines.

5. Home Protection

The first step to electrical safety is ensuring that your home's electrical system is up to date. That means checking your outlets, switches, and circuit breaker regularly and checking that they are functioning correctly. If you lack information regarding your home electrical system, it is always better to contact a licensed electrician and get it checked before anything happens.

6. Inform family members about electrical safety

If you're working from home and have children and old adults around you, educate them about every possible electrical hazard that can occur. Mostly, children are unaware of the danger that electricity can cause, so teach them to stay away from outlets, cords, and electrical appliances. You may also want to consider installing child-proof outlets to prevent any accidents. For that, connect with Lyter – one of the leading electrical accessories manufacturers in India that provides premium quality products for your home with utmost safety and durability.

Additional Electrical Safety Tips to Keep in Mind –

• Maintain a clean work environment around you. For example, use a power strip extension cord to avoid a cluster of wires while working. But ensure you use them only temporarily.
• Know where the main power switch is located in your home in case of emergencies.
• Avoid charging and keeping your laptops and smartphones on a non-flammable, hard, and flat surface. In addition, ensure you keep them in a well-ventilated room to avoid overheating your devices.
• Keep a regular check on your extension cords and other electrical appliances.
• Use the correct power cords. Make sure you are using the right power cords for your electronic equipment. Using the wrong power cord can cause overheating and potentially start a fire.
• Do not keep your cords under carpets, rugs, or doors.
• Water and electricity do not mix. Therefore, keep your electrical appliances away from water sources, such as sinks and bathtubs.

Over to you

Working from home can bring its own set of electrical safety hazards. However, by following the tips outlined above, you can help ensure that you stay safe while working from the comfort of your home.

Apart from that, you can opt for electric appliances from Lyter that are shock-proof, top–quality, and have a remarkable lifespan that is an ideal match for your home offices. So, Connect with us right away!