With more people than ever now working from home, it is becoming clear that such an arrangement has some clear advantages over working in the office but it also presents some new challenges when it comes to safety.
It is imperative that you ensure your own safety when working from home, so here are a few tips on how to do just that.
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1. Use a Security System
Contrary to popular belief, most break-ins actually occur during the day when intruders prey on houses or apartments they expect to be empty.
It is very easy to get carried away when working from home and completely fail to notice that an intruder is trying to enter your home. Having a home security system, or even a lone worker alarm, can make all the difference if you ever find yourself in such an awful situation.
Some lone worker alarms can even automatically call for help in the case of a medical emergency which is why you should consider using them together with home security systems.
Depending on the system you use, they can not only let you know about the danger but also automatically direct help your way.
2. Prepare Well & Minimize Risks
Risks will always be present but that doesn’t mean that we should just accept it and feel powerless about it.
Before you get on with your work, you can and should devote some time to making sure that some common risks are minimized.
Simply taking a walk around your house and ensuring that your stove is turned off, the doors are locked, and the windows outside of your work area are close can eliminate a lot of risks to you or your home.
Since most people start work in the morning, it is very possible that checking something simply slips your mind because you are still sleepy.
This is why it helps to make a preparation checklist for the things you want to check so nothing can slip your mind.
3. Stay in Touch with Coworkers
Different jobs require different levels of maintaining contact with your coworkers but you should strive to maintain regular communication with them nonetheless.
A sort of a daily routine is easy to set up and can be quite beneficial not only to your safety but also to your productivity. A great starting idea is to set up a daily check in at the start of the day and a check out at the end of the day.
If you live alone, your coworkers might be the first ones to raise the alarm if something goes wrong.
A lack of communication from your end despite established routines could be the first red flag and that alarm could make all the difference when it comes to your safety.
4. Pay Attention to Cybersecurity
It’s no secret that home computers are a lot less secure than the computers at the office.
Office computers are often a part of a closed internal network with tightly controlled access and secured with quality software. Having cybersecurity experts on hand also helps.
Studies have shown that the level of cybersecurity on home machines is generally very low. The last thing you want happening if you use a home computer for work is for someone to steal important company data because you weren’t careful enough.
Provided you stick to the general rules of cybersecurity when it comes to your online behavior, a quality anti-malware solution is a great first line of defense but it is not the end-all solution to any and all problems.
Even if your machine is protected, your home network might be vulnerable. Make sure that your WIFI password is complex and never give it out to third parties.
Even if your password is secure, the access data for your router might not be so you should also make sure to change the default password for your router’s admin panel.
5. Prepare Emergency Equipment
While you are busy working, you never know what might be happening in some other part of your house.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can alert you to any brewing emergencies before it is too late.
Having a first aid kit as well as a small fire extinguisher near your work area can greatly enhance your ability to take care of small fires and take care of any minor injuries you could potentially sustain.
Lone worker systems can also help to ensure you can quickly alert your company or an alarm receiving center. Alarms and apps can trigger an alert with just one click and ensure you get help quickly in the event of an emergency.
