April Fool's is a great time to let off steam with a good practical joke.

But if you're at work, you have to keep your pranks practical and safe for the office. And by that we mean they should cause no permanent damage to employers' or co-workers' property (or psyches), and should not involve any activity referred to in the Employee Handbook as "grounds for termination." Also, no mean-spirited personal attacks.

With that in mind, here's a list of 5 classic pranks that (usually) won't compromise your job security:

1. Toss someone's cell phone up in the drop-ceiling above their desk, then call the number and watch them frantically try to figure out where it's coming from.
2. Place a piece of scotch tape on the bottom of a co-worker's mouse so it covers the laser or roller ball (for older mice) and prevents the pointer from moving on the screen.
3. Tape down the button on someone's desk phone, so when they get a call and pick up the handset, the phone keeps ringing.
4. Leave a note "from the boss" on a late-arriver's desk that reads, "I need to see you in my office as soon as you get in."
5. Tape a walkie-talkie to the underside of the person's desk. Go out in the hall and whisper random things into the other walkie-talkie.

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