Getting your business ready for Halloween means checking that decorations are safe, visitors can move around easily, and your insurance reflects what you have planned. If you are holding an event or changing your usual activities, speak to your insurance broker before it takes place.
Whether you run a shop, café, salon or office, a few checks can help you enjoy the occasion while looking after your staff, customers and premises.
Decorate with safety in mind
A pumpkin by the door or a themed window display can add a bit of fun. Just make sure decorations do not create new hazards.
Keep paper decorations, costumes and other items that could catch fire away from heat and naked flames. Battery-powered candles are a safer choice for pumpkins and table displays. London Fire Brigade warns that fancy dress costumes can catch fire, especially near candles.
Keep escape routes clear and fire exit signs visible. If you change the layout or add displays, review your fire risk assessment. This is a check of what could cause a fire, who could be harmed and how to reduce the risks.
Keep entrances and walkways clear
Dim lighting might suit a spooky theme, but people still need to see where they are going. Keep steps, entrances and routes through your premises well lit.
Place pumpkins and props away from walking routes. Keep cables out of the way, clean up spills promptly and check that entrance mats lie flat. Wet shoes and fallen leaves can also make entrances slippery.
Before opening, walk through the space as a customer would. Could someone trip over a display, or struggle to get past it with a wheelchair or pushchair?
Planning a Halloween event
A themed shopping evening or customer party may involve activities that are different from your normal work. Think about how many people will attend, which areas they can use and who will supervise activities.
Brief staff on the plans, including what to do if someone is hurt or the building needs to be cleared. Make sure anyone helping for the evening knows the escape routes too.
Contact your insurance broker with the details before the event. Explain any entertainment, outside suppliers or changes to how the premises will be used. Ask whether your current policy covers the plans or needs to be changed.
Check your business insurance
Do not assume that every Halloween activity is covered by your usual business insurance. Cover varies, so check your policy schedule and wording for limits, conditions and exclusions, which are things the policy does not cover.
Public liability insurance can help with compensation claims if your business is legally responsible for injuring a member of the public or damaging their property. For example, it may be relevant if a customer trips over a poorly placed display. Whether a claim is covered depends on the circumstances and policy terms.
Remember extra stock and equipment
Have you ordered more costumes, sweets or seasonal gifts than usual? Check that your stock cover is enough for the extra goods you are holding.
Do not assume your policy automatically increases cover for Halloween. If you are unsure, contact your insurance broker. Keep stock records and receipts up to date, and ask about any hired equipment separately.
Finish with a closing check
Once the visitors have left, check doors and windows, put valuable items away and set any alarms as required by your policy. Switch off decorative lights when they are no longer needed, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Leave the space tidy and safe for the next working day, including removing any damaged decorations or leftover trip hazards.
A little planning before the fun
If Halloween brings changes to your business, it is a useful time to review your cover. As an insurance broker, One Call Insurance can help you explore commercial insurance options and discuss what may suit your business.
Sources
London Fire Brigade: Fancy dress costumes
GOV.UK: Fire safety in the workplace, Fire risk assessments
Health and Safety Executive: Causes and prevention
Association of British Insurers: Liability insurance
Association of British Insurers: Commercial property insurance
