As the year winds down, many businesses are wrapping up projects, reviewing budgets, and preparing for a break. With stretched teams and tired staff, fire safety can easily be missed.
But this is the time to check that your responsibilities are in order. Whether you’re closing for Christmas or staying open into January, make sure your systems are working, your risks are covered, and your people know what to do.
Here’s what to review now – and what to prepare for in the new year.
1. Tidy Up Seasonal Hazards
If you’ve introduced any decorations, temporary displays, heaters, or additional stock over the festive period, check they haven’t created fire risks. This is also the time to remove items no longer needed – particularly anything combustible left in escape routes, stairwells, or near electrical sources.
Key actions:
- Remove tinsel, artificial trees or paper decorations that are now past their use
- Check plug sockets and extension leads aren’t overloaded
- Unplug and store portable heaters safely
- Clear escape routes, fire exits and access to extinguishers
2. Review Your Fire Risk Assessment
A lot can change in 12 months. Your fire risk assessment should reflect your current building layout, staffing levels, equipment and use of space. If it doesn’t, it needs updating. The law requires you to review your Fire Risk Assessment regularly, and whenever certain changes occur. An annual review is best practice, helping demonstrate that you’re meeting this legal duty.
Review now if:
- There have been layout changes, building works or reconfigurations
- New equipment or processes have been introduced
- Occupancy levels have changed significantly
- Fire safety measures or responsibilities have been altered
PB Safety is BAFE SP205 certified to carry out Life Safety Fire Risk Assessments and can support you with updates or a full review.
3. Fire Doors and Escape Routes
Fire doors are one of the most misunderstood but vital fire protection measures. At this time of year, it’s common to see them propped open, blocked by temporary storage, or not closing properly due to wear and tear.
Check:
- Fire doors close fully and aren’t damaged
- Escape routes are clear, and exit doors are unlocked
- Fire extinguishers, alarm call points and emergency lights are accessible
PB Safety provides fire door inspections and maintenance services across commercial, residential and multi-use buildings.
4. Temporary or New Staff
If you’ve had a rotating workforce in December, or brought in temporary or agency staff, fire safety training must not be skipped – even in a busy month.
Key checks:
- Have all staff (including temporary) had fire safety briefings?
- Do they know evacuation procedures and alarm points?
- Have fire wardens been clearly assigned for each shift or working group?
Training is a legal requirement, and PB Safety can deliver both online and in-person fire safety courses for teams of all sizes.
5. Are You Closing the Building Over the Holidays?
If your site is closing for Christmas or New Year, it’s essential to carry out a few pre-shutdown checks to protect against fire while the building is vacant.
Before you lock up – and when you reopen in the New Year – make sure you:
- Test the fire alarm and emergency lighting
- Make sure no fire doors are propped open
- Remove waste, combustible materials or flammable liquids
- Check that fire systems are operational and monitored
- Ensure access points are secure, but don’t compromise escape routes
Arson Prevention Tip:
Arson is a real risk over the festive period, particularly for vacant or quiet sites. Take steps to reduce the chance of external ignition:
- Empty and secure all external bins – ideally store them away from walls, doors and windows
- Remove combustible waste from around the perimeter of the building
- Keep external areas well-lit and covered by CCTV, where possible
- Lock gates and secure vulnerable areas, without compromising emergency access
6. Set Fire Safety Goals for 2026
The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to plan proactive fire safety improvements. Rather than only reacting to inspections or audits, consider what you want to achieve in Q1:
Ideas:
- Schedule a full review of your fire risk assessment
- Book refresher training for your fire wardens
- Plan regular fire door inspections
- Update your emergency evacuation plan
- Review your fire safety maintenance contracts
PB Safety can support you with planning and delivering fire safety improvements that meet both your legal duties and your operational needs.
Start the New Year Compliant
With the pressures of December, it’s easy to let fire safety fall down the priority list. But taking a bit of time now to close the year properly puts you in a far stronger position going forward.
Your legal duties under the Fire Safety Order apply all year – and enforcement doesn’t stop just because it’s the end of the year.
How PB Safety Can Help
We support Responsible Persons across construction, commercial, education and residential buildings with:
- BAFE SP205 certified Fire Risk Assessments
- Fire door inspections and maintenance
- Staff fire safety training
- Emergency evacuation plans
- Servicing of fire alarms, lighting and extinguishers
Get in touch on 01234 965225, email info@pbsafety.org, or visit pbfiresafety.co.uk/fire-safety
Let’s get your fire safety in order, and start 2026 with compliance, confidence and peace of mind.