How to Protect Your Business During the Festive Season
Aaron Ashton • November 19, 2025
The festive season can change how your premises operate. You may have higher visitor numbers, staff changes, longer hours, or full closures. These shifts can create gaps in daily routines and raise both security and fire risks. By preparing early, you can reduce these risks and keep your premises running smoothly during this period.
1. Review Your Security and Fire Measures
Check that your intruder alarm, CCTV, access control systems, and fire alarm system
are working as expected.
Confirm that contact details, alert settings, and any monitoring arrangements are accurate. Test emergency lighting and check that fire extinguishers are in place and within date.
Make sure staff understand opening and closing routines and know what to do if a security or fire alert is triggered.
2. Manage Access to Your Premises
Set clear routines for opening and closing. Control who has access to keys, fobs, or codes, and update these if temporary staff are joining during the season.
Limit entry to restricted spaces and make sure staff understand their access responsibilities.
3. Protect Stock, Equipment, and Supplies
Keep stock rooms, storage areas, and equipment spaces organised so you can spot issues quickly.
Limit entry to authorised staff and keep track of who has access. Store high-value items securely and keep tools, products, food, drink, and cleaning supplies in their designated areas.
Book deliveries for times when trained staff are present to manage them safely and reduce disruption.
4. Reduce Fire Risks
Keep escape routes clear and check that fire doors close properly. Make sure decorations do not block exits or cover detectors. Store flammable items, such as packaging and cleaning products, in suitable areas away from heat sources.
Test emergency lighting
and confirm that extinguishers are easy to reach. Remind staff how to raise an alarm and follow your evacuation plan.
5. Handle Cash and Payments Safely
Reduce the amount of cash kept on site and plan regular bank drops during busy periods.
Follow clear routines for counting and storing cash, and keep tills secure when not in use. Make sure staff know how to spot unusual payment behaviour, such as repeated card declines or attempts to distract them during transactions.
6. Secure Digital and Booking Systems
Update passwords before staff take leave and remove access for anyone who no longer needs it.
Review permissions for tills, booking platforms, ordering systems, and office software. Make sure devices are locked when unattended. Remind staff to report suspicious emails, login attempts, or changes they did not make.
6. Support and Train Staff
Share clear guidance on security and fire routines for the festive season.
Make sure staff know how to report concerns, who is responsible for checks, and what to do during busy or late trading hours. Assign roles for end-of-day tasks, access control, and basic safety checks so nothing is missed.
7. Prepare for Closures and Reduced Staffing
Test your alarms before any planned closure and address any faults straight away.
Check that doors, windows, and external areas are secure. Make sure waste is removed, especially any flammable materials. Confirm who will respond to alerts, who is on call, and how staff should report issues if they notice something during the break.
8. Work With Professional Support
Arrange routine checks before the festive season so your systems are ready for busier periods or extended closures.
If your premises will be empty for long stretches, you can use monitoring from an Alarm Receiving Centre, which will watch for alerts and contact the right people if something happens.
A key holding service can also attend on your behalf if an alarm is triggered, removing the need for staff to travel to the site out of hours. Keep current contact details for any service providers you may need during the season.
How We Can Support You
The festive season brings changes that can place pressure on your premises. By reviewing your systems, managing access, reducing fire risks, supporting staff, and planning for closures, you can limit disruption and reduce the chance of incidents. Taking these steps helps your business operate safely throughout this busy period.
If you would like guidance or support with your security or fire systems, please contact us and our team will be happy to help.
