Safeguard Your Business During the Christmas Season
With the festive season nearly upon us, businesses face an increased risk of both crime and fire-related incidents. Premises are often unoccupied for longer, staff levels drop, and valuable stock piles up for end-of-year sales. This guide will help you tighten both your security and fire safety with clear, actionable advice.
Get Your Festive Checklist
The Seasonal Risk: Crime & Fire
- UK businesses face £2.4 billion in losses over Christmas due to increased shoplifting, vandalism, and break-ins.
- Fire risks rise with extra electrical decorations, heating equipment, and changes in occupancy.
Did You Know?
- 24.7%: increase in shoplifting incidents since 2022
- £1,000: the average cost of seasonal holiday crime to businesses
- Year-on-Year: seasonal criminal increase
Who is This Guide For?
This guide applies to:
- Shops, offices, warehouses, and hospitality venues
- Property managers and landlords
- Residential blocks (e.g. student flats, HMOs)
- Care homes and public buildings
Whether you’re shutting down, operating reduced hours, or hosting festive events, this guide helps protect your property, people, and peace of mind.
Top 10 Actions to Take Now
- Test Intruder and Fire Alarms
Ensure both systems are operational and being monitored sufficiently. - Inspect External Lighting
Check motion detectors, timers, and visibility. Replace faulty bulbs. - Review CCTV Coverage
Are cameras covering entry points, car parks, and blind spots? - Check Locking Systems
Secure all doors, shutters, and windows. Consider coded locks for restricted areas. - Fire Safety with Decorations
Use only LED lights, avoid overloading sockets, and keep exits clear. - Control Access
Limit keyholders. Review who can enter the building during holidays. - Communicate Emergency Contacts
Share call-out details with your team and alarm monitoring company. - Secure Stock and Cash
Move high-value stock out of public view and secure tills/safes. - Fire Door and Escape Route Check
Decorations must never obstruct escape routes or prevent fire doors from closing. - Schedule Daily Remote Checks
Use CCTV apps or assigned patrols to check for unusual activity.
We often get called upon during the Christmas break after damage to property or a security breach. On many occasions, the issues are preventable. If you have any concerns, talk to us, and we’ll provide a solution to give you increased peace of mind over the holidays and beyond.
Sector-Specific Tips
Offices
- Unplug unnecessary equipment.
- Set the heating on a timer to avoid frozen pipes.
Offices
- Unplug unnecessary equipment.
- Set the heating on a timer to avoid frozen pipes.
Warehouses
- Conduct a fire-hazard sweep of packaging materials.
- Double-check roller shutters and delivery access points.
Care Homes
- Ensure staff know how to operate the fire alarm panel.
- Check that personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) are up to date.
Residential Blocks / HMOs
- Check communal fire alarm and emergency lighting systems.
- Remind tenants about safe decoration and cooking practices.
What If You’re Closed?
- Set up a clear “closure plan” with named responsible persons.
- Ensure all fire safety systems remain active.
- Notify your alarm monitoring company of any changes to your contact information.
- Schedule patrols or remote checks during your closure.
Suggested Timeline
- Early December: Conduct full site review and checklist walkthrough.
- Mid-December: Test alarms, notify monitoring stations, and brief the team.
- Final Working Day: Lockdown procedure and final sweep.
- Early January: Reopen with fire & security system test, review incident logs.
Get Your Free Festive Checklist
Protect your business this Christmas. Download our free security and fire safety checklist.
The Security Checklist Includes Information on…
- Physical security checks
- Securing entrances and exits
- Limiting access
- Eliminating fire hazards
- Locking down confidential information
- Scheduling regular security checks
- Ensuring your alarm and cameras are functioning correctly
- Reviewing and updating security plans
- Reinforcing external lighting
- Checking and updating security cameras
Get Your Festive Checklist
Need Immediate Cover? Ask Us About Temporary Security Support
While this checklist gives you a strong foundation, it may not be enough to counter all seasonal risks. If your premises are closing, short-staffed, or under increased threat, temporary security could be the safety net you need.
At IPS, we provide responsive Temporary Security Solutions, from manned guarding and mobile patrols to enhanced CCTV coverage and alarm response. Whether you need short-term cover or additional layers of protection, we’re here to help.
Let’s strengthen your festive security strategy. Chat to us about tailored temporary cover or call 0333 444 5 999.
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