I don’t really mean to scare you, but did you know the most dangerous place you spend time is actually your home? More people die every year from home-related accidents than from car accidents, and with the increase in working from home, the risks could multiply. This may seem like a morbid topic, but let’s see where it takes us. The following article covers all of The Hidden Dangers of Working From Home.
Your Kitchen Is Trying to Kill You
The most dangerous room in your house is the kitchen. Filled with sharp objects and things that get hot, this room is the prime place for burns, cuts, and potential fires. Whether you’ve unconsciously decided to cut a bagel while holding it (the 5th most dangerous activity to do in the kitchen) or forget to pull that casserole out of the oven before a two-hour Zoom call (the cause of 33% of oven fires), the potential for hurting yourself in the kitchen is high.
Working from home presents some perks for those who want to cut back on dining out or become bread-baking experts, but when your home becomes your office it can also increase the potential for distractions. Multitasking is actually a myth, so even something as simple as taking a work call while working in the kitchen can increase the potential for an accident.
The Air in Your House Is Trying to Kill You
Breathing in allergens and toxins is a major cause of respiratory distress for those suffering with asthma and allergies, but poor household air quality is also a concern for healthy individuals. Dust buildup composed of matter left behind from animals, dust mites, and outdoor pollen deteriorates indoor air quality, and most people don’t dust nearly as often as they should.
In addition to dust, cooking residue, mold from damp showers, laundry rooms, and basements, and pet waste all contribute negatively to the quality of the air you’re breathing in your home. Unless you incorporate regular cleaning on even unseen spaces in your home and have a high-quality air filter, chances are the air you breathe at home is dirtier than the air in a typical office.
The Loneliness in Your House Is Trying to Kill You
For those who were stressed out by long commutes and office drama, working from home may have been a respite from those stressors. Having the ability to create your own workspaces in the place you feel most comfortable and being able to limit negative social interactions can increase overall happiness.
However, a prolonged disconnect from working around other people hasn’t been good for everyone. Although many people enjoy working from home, there has been an increase in workers reporting feelings of loneliness and isolation, and long-term loneliness and isolation can lead to depression in some people.
Fighting Back Against Household Dangers
It’s clear that working from home poses some risks, and increasing safety requires good habits for concentration, cleaning, and socialization. It will require effort to stay focused when performing risky tasks in the kitchen, keep household air clean with filters and dusting regiments, and be intentional about scheduling time to hang out with friends and family.
Alternatively, remote workers can investigate coworking spaces that blend some of the benefits of working from an office with the flexibility of working from home. Coworking spaces may not have full kitchens with their fire hazards and cooking residue, they are usually pet-free which limits exposure to dander and pet waste. They are also perfect for remote workers and freelancers who enjoy connecting with others in casual and fun ways.
Coworking Spaces Are a Safe Alternative for Remote Workers
Becoming a member of a coworking space could be good for your health in many ways. Coworking spaces can offer a work-home-away-from-home where cleaning staff take care of dusting protocol and a coworker brings in freshly made (and pre-cut) bagels to share during social hours. Although I still recommend keeping your house clean, it may actually be easier to do so when you’re not there all day messing it up in between Zoom calls.
The advantages of working in an environment specifically designed for productivity can also eliminate the distractions naturally present at home. This improves focus for tasks at work and at home. The ability to be fully present can reduce the chance of a household accident and help you stay on track with work projects. Add the safety benefits to the social aspects, community engagement, and unique characteristics of a coworking space, and you may have found your new, perfect home for work.