Best of SPB: The Office Survival Kit

Posted on July 27, 2009 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Lifehacks

This week I am on vacation, so I am re-running the most popular posts from my blogs. Enjoy!

Originally published 5/22/2008

Photo by Slightlynorth You are about to step into a meeting with the visiting vice-president, and you realized that you have spilled coffee down your shirt, and you are missing a button. Then you walk into the meeting, to find out that the in-floor power receptacle is still under its screwed down cover, and the headache kicks in.

A well stocked office supply kit can mitigate some common office emergencies. Here is what I keep in my kit:

A sewing kit. This was purchased at the dollar store, and contains a needle, several threads in common colors, a spare button and a safety pin. It is useful for quick clothing emergencies.

An instant stain remover. These come in either cloth packets or as a liquid. They won’t make your clothes look absolutely clean, but they will camouflage most stains without leaving the tell-tale water marks of a quick bathroom “wash-up”.

Basic medical supplies. I keep a small container filled with my favorite pain killers, sinus tablets, and a migraine pill. I also have several bandages in there, after discovering that no one knew where the office first aid kit was as I was dripping blood from a really nasty papercut. There are also a few cough drops to be found, as well as a packet of herbal tea for soothing throats.

A small toolkit. This is currently a nicely-packaged job with small pliers, a small pocket knife and a set of small screwdrivers. Before I received this kit (a gift), I kept a small screwdriver that reversed to flat and Phillips heads, as well as needle-nose pliers. These tools have come in handy when popping computer cases open, installing hardware, opening up microphone jacks, and stripping wires to make a cable end.

All of us have favorites. One co-worker keeps a portable television in his desk to check on weather emergencies. Another keeps a stock of herbal medicines she uses. What are your favorite supplies?

Update July 2009

I have gotten rid of the small toolkit. Actually, my husband confiscated it from the bag of stuff I hauled home from my client after being laid off. I have not missed it. I have added a small bottle of saline solution, and a small sample of mouthwash.

Photo by Slightlynorth