According to the National Safety Council, slips, trips, and falls account for nearly one-third of all non-fatal injuries in the U.S. Home offices do not have the luxury of professionals designing and installing cords and cables so that they are tucked away and out of sight. However, getting your cables organized is an easy DIY project. Cable management seems like a hassle once you begin, but it will make your space so much more efficient once it’s done.
Here are some tips to get your cables under control.
The key to effective cable management is where to position the power strip. Most people use power strips out of convenience due to limited outlet availability. The natural tendency for many people is to plug the power strip into the nearest outlet and drag all the cords over and plug it in. This leaves a mound of cords on the floor, making it unsightly and a trip hazard. However, if you strategically position the power strip, it will make it easier to manage all the other cables and cords.
Here are two options for positioning your power strip:
Mount it: Mounting the power strip underneath the desk will hide all your power cables from view. To stick the strip underneath a desk, use strong double-sided tape on the base of the strip. This method works best for non-glass desktops. You can even use this method for standing desks as long as you factor in enough slack for the cords when the desk is raised. For a glass top desk, mount the power strip to one of the desk legs.
Hide it: If the under-the-desk method or leg method will not work for your situation, then the last option is to tuck the power strip behind a piece of furniture near your desk. If your office arrangement does not allow for this setup, then consider using a low profile cable cover along the wall or even across a room. With a low profile cable cover, you can hide your cords in plain sight. They’ll protect cords from damage from foot traffic while minimizing fall hazards.
Data cords and other auxiliary cables can be corralled with zip ties or hook-and-loop fasteners. Be sure to bundle cords that are flowing the same direction together. Once they are bundled, you can run them along the side of the desk or mount them underneath the desktop so they are out of the way.
If none of the above cable management tips work for you and you have no choice but to leave a group of cables exposed, there’s still one option—a cable sleeve. Cable sleeves are synthetic mesh covers used to wrap bundles of cords. They are easy to use and offer a semi-attractive solution for bundling cables.
In Closing
Organizing the cables in your office will make your workspace aesthetically appealing and help increase your productivity. while preventing trips and falls. Setting up a cable management plan only takes a few moments of your time and minimal investment. Once it’s set, you won’t have to worry about unruly cables disrupting your workflow.
Author Bio:
Justin Lytle is the Product Manager at Checkers Safety, a manufacturer of quality safety products based in Broomfield, CO. Justin has been employed at Checkers for 11 years. He values hard work and honesty, and the process involved with continuously working toward both personal and professional growth.
