I stick pretty close to my machine, I use the same chair for computer and embroidery desks so I just swing around. If I leave the room it is only for a minute or two but then I don't do a lot of things and I am not selling anything so if something gets messed up it is mine anyway.
I wouldn't leave the room, thread will break or bobbin will run out. So I have a TV and radio,and of course my computor in my sewing room. My husband will even serve me lunch, when I have a large order that I am working on. Thankfully he loves to cook. HEHEHE!
My sewing room is in the basement, I have two other floors. My machine beeps at me when I have a broken thread. If I'm here alone on the main level I can hear it, but with the TV and the air conditioner, I can't hear anything. The way I solved this problem is, I bought a baby monitor for 2.00 from a garage sale and I turn this on. Now I can hear all over the house when my machine is working.
If I would leave the room the censor in my machine would go off screaming "operator missing". Didn't you know it is build in? I don't even want to be more than 5 steps away from it. Ha, ha
I am fortunate to be able to hear my machine in most areas of the house. And, if I am not in the room sewing while the machine is running, I have a ear listening and ready to run in to rescue whatever is happening. I love multi-tasking.
You are one of those brave people who leave the room! LOL. It's just me now, so I have my machine set up in my bedroom, and while it is going, I use the computer, catch up on tv, read, put things away where they belong so I have room enough to sleep at night! Perhaps if I was at home more(dratted work) I would venture out of the room.
Jo