Ways To Keep Your Staff Safe This Holiday Season

If you’re a business owner, keeping your staff safe is extremely important, no matter the season.  However, crime tends to rise during the holiday season, and with it getting darker out earlier, odd things can happen when employees are leaving at dusk.  Compound that with the general safety issues that occur everyday, and it is extremely important that you are focused on safety this season.  Here are some simple tips to keep employees safe this season.

 

Have Specific Safety Policies

The first thing you should do is have specific safety policies that all employees should know and understand.  For example, when leaving at night, you should encourage using the buddy system so that everyone is safe in the parking lot and never alone.

Second, you should have rules in place for decorating for the holidays to avoid fire risks.  For example, no candles or open flames.  If you’re going to allow lights in the office, make sure that they are “UL Approved”, which means they have passed specific insurance requirements for safety.

 

Test and Check Everything

 You should also setup a testing program to make sure all your alarms and fire extinguishers are in working condition.  You should do this monthly, but if you haven’t done it lately, now is a great time.  If you find something not working, you should order replacement smoke alarms from Fire Protection Online or other online retailers that specialize in these parts.  This equipment is relatively cheap, and can provide the protection you need in case there is an emergency.

 

Get Professional Help

Finally, if you aren’t quite sure what you need to do to keep your employees safe, you should consider reaching out for professional help.  Many police and fire departments have public outreach programs where businesses and individuals can contact them for tips and advice on how they can stay safe.  In most communities the service is free, so it is something you should look into.