Organizing Cables for Safety

What do computers, toasters, sanders, and glue guns have in common? They’re all typically accompanied by electric cables, features that are becoming increasingly common as the range and number of electronic devices increases in most environments. Cables may often be looked upon as simple items that might be cumbersome or unsightly but that ensure frequently-used equipment is able to function properly. Unfortunately, cables can also become a safety hazard when they’re not treated with a bit of respect and wisdom. Potentially leading to tripping, the toppling of equipment, and even electrical fires, cables present very real dangers that are nevertheless rarely taken into account by homeowners or workers. When cables are reconsidered in terms of their ability to wreak havoc at home or in the workplace, it should become clear that keeping them neat and properly organized should be a high priority. The minimal time and effort needed to ensure that cables are safe makes turning this hazard into a fully-addressed safety issue easy.

      The workplace can be one of the most dangerous venues for safety problems involving cables. Not only are there often many different kinds of cabled equipment in the workplace, but the high traffic of workers traversing the property can lead to a greater risk of accidents. In some places of work, it’s primarily computers and related office equipment that leads to cluttered cables. Connected to computers, printers, fax machines, and other common pieces of office equipment, cables can quickly add up to create a tangled mess that’s as unsightly as it is dangerous. Rather than forcing cables behind a desk or leaving them hanging and unorganized, workers or supervisors can get a lot of help from simple twist ties or ratchet ties. These small and inexpensive items allow cables to be bundled together in neat packages that can then be placed out of the way, minimizing the risk of various safety problems.

     Workplaces with a more industrial focus can also benefit from ties, but the more pressing problem with cables in such environments is the use of extension cables and other long cords, which can easily create tripping hazards. Even when workers are carefully taught to observe basic safety practices surrounding long cables, frequent interaction with such items can make it easy to forget or make a poor split-second decision, leading to property damage or injury. Insisting that cables are kept as neatly as possible and that workstations have short-distance access to electrical plugs can help reduce the risks presented by long cables. Supervisors and safety personnel may wish to inspect work areas frequently to both examine how workers are using cabled items and to discover new measures for improving cable safety.

     Cables are also common hazards in most homes. In the kitchen, cables are frequently needed for everything from coffee makers to juicers to hand mixers, and the number of cords can easily stack up. Both during cooking and when the kitchen is not in use, it may be easy to simply leave corded appliances and tools laying around, leading to a number of potential dangers including unintended item switch-on and electrocution. Taking the time to carefully and deliberately clear and store kitchen appliances can make the area far more secure for home cooks and for everyone who comes into regular contact with the kitchen. Home offices are also subject to problems with cables, and should be organized to ensure that cables aren’t simply left tangling on the floor or piling up on a desk top. As many of today’s consumers use a variety of electronic accessories with their computers, from music players to phones to cameras and beyond, properly organizing a home office can deliver the added benefit of making it faster and easier to access necessary plugs and cords for gadgets.

     Home workshops, whether intended for fixing items around the house, for making crafts, or for nearly any other purpose, are subject to cable issues as well. Unplugging and properly storing electric items after use is a great way to minimize the dangers associated with hanging and disorganized cords, particularly when there are children or pets in the house. Installing hooks or other convenient items to make coiling cables easier is also a wise idea, and paying careful attention to the placement of cords during work can reduce the risk of tripping over cables or knocking items over.

      While the safety concerns of cables may seem slight, they can lead to serious accidents no matter the setting. Thankfully, using just a few small organization products and basic techniques can help address these issues quickly and effectively. With a well-organized set of cords, using today’s wide range of electronic equipment can be safer and far less aggravating, making cord cleanup a wise choice for prioritization.