Fire Safety for Retailers in the January Sales

The January sales are a hectic time as well as a busy and profitable one. While you are preparing for the rush of customers eager for bargains, remember to prepare for their safety, and yours, as well. You need to be sure that you have the right measures in place in case of a fire, so here are a few tips for the coming sales season.

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Make Sure Your Staff Know What to Do

You may well be employing temporary staff over the Christmas season and during the January sales. These people need to be aware of the fire drill! Make sure that they are aware of all your fire prevention measures and policies. They need to know what to do in the event of a fire – where the fire exits are, where the fire extinguishers are, how they work, and importantly, how to deal competently with the people in the store. You can train your staff to deal with an emergency, you can’t train your customers.

Make Sure Your Premises Are Safe

No matter how busy you get – and here’s hoping you get really busy – you need to keep your premises safely organised. Make sure that fire exits aren’t blocked by extra stock or by delivery vehicles. You should also make sure that your stock is stored safely, away from electrical intake cupboards, for example, and away from possible sources of heat (such as the staff toaster). Move empty boxes and packaging out of the premises as soon as you can – cardboard and paper is very flammable, as well as messy.

Make Sure That You Have the Right Equipment

You need to make sure that you have the right emergency equipment in place. As well as fire alarms and fire extinguishers, you may want to contact a firm who provide fire suppression services, such as http://www.mainpoint.co.uk/, to install a suitable solution such as a sprinkler or Automist system. These are systems which extinguish fires automatically, without human intervention, meaning they can help to keep your premises safe even when you’re not around.

The January sales should be a safe, profitable and exciting time in retail. Making sure that you have the right fire safety measures in place should give you peace of mind, even when you’re so busy you’re rushed off your feet!