How to Get Your Business Ready for the Holidays

Both consumers and businesses experience increased commotion during the holiday season. Businesses enjoy an increase in foot traffic and sales during this busy time, necessitating the need for more inventory and personnel.

While the holidays might help some businesses increase their sales, foot traffic, and inventory, they also face a number of dangers during this time. An increase in claims related to property damage, employee morale, workplace safety and theft can increase during the holidays. Below is some advice on how to get your business ready.

Maintaining excellent housekeeping procedures

Slips, trips, and falls are regular hazards that businesses deal with throughout the year. However, when you take into account things like increased foot traffic and inventory, these risks are heightened during the holidays. Consider the following actions to ensure the security of employees and customers:

Keep the floors dry, clean, and in good shape.
Keep the inventory levels at the proper levels. Do not cram backrooms and other storage spaces too tightly.
Keep heavy objects near the ground.
Instruct staff to use a ladder to access products on high shelves.

Be aware of staff risk factors

The hiring of seasonal workers might lessen the workload during the busy Christmas season. However, if you don’t adequately train these people, it could result in dangerous workplace mishaps. Furthermore, both permanent and temporary employees may be enticed to steal if valuable items line your shelves. Consider the following to account for these and comparable employee-related risks:

Ascertain that any new hires are acquainted with their surroundings and duties.
To lessen the danger of theft, review daily transactions and surveillance footage. This procedure also helps lower customer theft.
Before the holidays start, interview potential seasonal workers and start the employment process. Make sure seasonal hires are properly onboarded by conducting background checks and allowing appropriate time.
As often as possible, pair inexperienced and new staff.
Give employees the appropriate tools for the job, educate them on safety issues, and make sure they take regular breaks.
Establish policies and processes that take workplace harassment and violence into consideration as safety concerns.

Manage customer-related risks

The holiday season can stress customers, and it’s important to ensure your business is safe for all shoppers. To maintain order in your store, consider the following:

Refresh the emergency procedures for your store’s staff.
Use knowledgeable and experienced staff to assist with crowd control and resolving any problems.
Place sale items thoughtfully across the shop so crowds can be spread out and traffic flow can be controlled.
Appoint security guards on-site. If you require further support in controlling big crowds, ask your local law enforcement for help.
Teach staff members who to call in case of an emergency.

Choose your decorations carefully

During the holidays, it’s not uncommon for businesses to go all-out with displays and decorations. While this can brighten up a sales floor, misplaced decorations and poor safety procedures can create fire and other hazards. To address this, do the following:

Avoid using flammable ornaments.
Keep decorations away from heat sources.
Avoid overloading extension cords and use them correctly.
Select wise placements for any extra holiday decorations. Do not obstruct any doorways or emergency exit signs.
Properly secure decorations. Make sure they can be readily avoided by customers and that they won’t topple over.

Obtain the appropriate coverage and feel secure over the holiday season.

For organizations, the holidays may be difficult, especially in terms of risk management. Getting the right insurance can help keep your staff and clients safe in addition to actively controlling your exposures.

Please contact Hertvik Insurance at (330) 723-9320 or visit www.Hertvik.com for more information on how to better protect your business during the holiday season.