WINTER 2022 SEASONAL ADVICE STAY SAFE THIS CHRISTMAS As we approach the festive season, with additional lighting being used in our offices and businesses, its more important than ever to ensure the safety of your staff, customers and buildings As business owners, you must do all you can to reduce the risk of fire in your premises and ensure the safety of your staff and customers. One of the biggest causes of fire in businesses are electrics and electrical equipment. Fixed wiring should be tested periodically, normally every five years. You should also have an inspection process in place, such as PAT testing, for portable appliances and equipment, and this should be undertaken regularly. In the run-up to the festive season, Christmas lighting is likely to be used to decorate premises and it is important that this is checked carefully: n Make sure the lighting is not damaged or broken before use n Use replacement bulbs of the same type and rating as the original ones n Replace failed bulbs straight away to prevent overheating n Switch off the lights when the premises are closed n Keep lights away from flammable displays or decorations. When running lights off extension leads, ensure the leads are safe and that you are not overloading them. Remember to: n Check the rating of the extension lead and never overload it by plugging in appliances that, together, exceed the maximum rating. This could cause the plug in the wall socket to overheat and possibly cause a fire n Only use one extension lead per socket; never plug an extension lead into another extension lead known as daisy-chaining n Use a multi-way bar extension lead rather than a block adaptor, as this will put less strain on the wall socket. Some block adaptors do not have a fuse, which increases the risk of overloading and fire n Consider having additional sockets installed by a registered electrician if you regularly rely on extension leads and adaptors. Ensuring all your systems and equipment are safe, and that your staff can identify and raise concerns, will reduce the risk to them and the risk of fire. Review your fire risk assessment when making any changes to the use of your building, including increasing stock levels, increasing bookings and numbers of people, or employing more staff. It is important to consider the means of escape from the building, and that they do not become blocked by greater levels of stock or changes to lay out. Are they still able to accommodate the number of people who will be on the premises, so they can safely and quickly exit the building in the event of an emergency? New or temporary staff will need to have induction training, so they are aware of your processes and procedures, and what is expected of them in an emergency. The fire service is running its annual Christmas campaign, which includes visiting businesses to do spot checks on the means of escape and occupancy numbers, to ensure public safety. Advice and support on being a safe and compliant business can be obtained from your fire risk assessor or from the Department for Communities and Local Governments fire safety guidance documents. Festive lighting is not the only fire risk to businesses, however. By undertaking a full assessment you will be able to identify the risks within your business and put in place the correct control measures. For more guidance on preventing fire, see TSBN Winter 2021. Credit: Ian Jones, station commander, West Midlands Fire Service Image: iStock / Kotenko_A Beat the thieves During the festive season, many retailers could face increased threats from the very thing they crave: increased footfall! But there are things you can do to protect your business from issues often associated with increased crowds. It is worth viewing your business and premises as you think a potential criminal might. Look for any weaknesses Fireworks are often used that could be easily over Christmas and new year exploited and then to bring a bit of sparkle to the follow these simple festivities. For advice on using steps to enhance your them safely and making your security this Christmas: Play safe event a success, see TSBN Autumn 2022. n Staff awareness/ training well-trained, vigilant staff are one of the best ways of combating shoplifting. Remind them to be extra vigilant during busy periods. Ensure they are alerted to potential risks and know what to do if they spot something that needs attention. Training on not putting themselves at risk is crucial. Train staff to be observant at all times and to report anything suspicious to their supervisor/business owner. n Early warning system have a bell by the till and set up a warning system, such as two rings, if staff think something suspicious is going on. n Surveillance staff should be able to see across the shop floor and customers entering/leaving the premises. This might involve installing a platform at your checkout. n Exits have a single, controlled exit point for customers (as well as fire exits in the event of an emergency, which should be closed but accessible). The more exits customers have access to, the more risk it poses. n Employing seasonal workers check references carefully before taking on staff over the busy period. n Deterrents look at what can be installed, such as mirrors and cameras. Consider how easy it would be for a shoplifter to take items unobserved. n Signage display large Shoplifters will be prosecuted signs in prominent positions. n Vulnerable/desirable stock move high-value items close to the till point, where they are most visible to staff. For expensive clothing, crisscross hangers on the rail to make it more difficult for a thief to grab a big supply and run off. Use dummy display goods/empty boxes. n Hiding places - think about the hiding places people may bring with them: bags, pushchairs, umbrellas. n Make eye contact - if you suspect somebody in the store, make yourself busy near them, smiling, making eye contact, and use other sales techniques. This can be an effective deterrent. n Distraction thefts - some shoplifters operate in groups and use distraction (complaining loudly or asking to see the manager, for example) so that others are free to operate. For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service For up-to-date news stories and information, follow us on n Have a ban system - ban persistent offenders from entering your premises. Seek help from your local police community support officers. n CCTV if you have CCTV fitted, test it thoroughly to ensure it is working properly and that, should you have an incident, you can provide as much evidence as possible to the police. n Card fraud trust your instincts! At this busy time of year, those intending to commit card fraud may feel more confident that their activity wont be noticed. If you are relying on signatures, take the time to double check and ask for supporting ID. If you experience card fraud, report it to Action Fraud immediately, either online or by calling 0300 123 2040. Credit: Karen Woolley, FSB Development Manager Staffordshire & West Midlands Image: iStock / legna69 Anonymous Hotline 0300 303 2636 Is your sector being undermined by unscrupulous traders operating outside the law? Report them via Trading Standards Anonymous Hotline or online and help level the playing field for honest businesses.