As the festive season gets closer, shops across Eastbourne and the surrounding area start to feel very different. Windows light up, aisles fill with extra stock and festive displays appear on every spare bit of floor. Alongside the excitement comes more wiring, more packaging and more people in the building, which is when fire safety can quietly slip down the list. Every year, fires in retail spaces are linked to overloaded sockets, blocked exits or combustible displays. These incidents do not only damage property, they put staff, customers and livelihoods at risk. Whether you run a small boutique or a busy high street store, this is the perfect moment to pause and check that your fire precautions are still fit for purpose.

🔥 1. Increased stock and higher fire load

With Christmas sales and regular deliveries, stockrooms and shop floors can fill up very quickly. More stock usually means more combustible material and often less space to move, work and escape if something goes wrong.

Helpful checks

• Keep fire exits and escape routes clear at all times, even short term blockages can put people at risk.

• Store stock away from heaters and electrical sockets.

• Avoid stacking boxes right up to the ceiling, as this can trap heat and block sprinkler heads where they are fitted.

• Take a regular look at your storeroom layout, especially in December, because what starts as a temporary solution can easily become permanent by January.

💡 2. Festive decorations that look great but carry risk

Tinsel, paper garlands, artificial trees and fairy lights all help create a festive atmosphere, but many of these items are highly flammable. When you add older wiring or multi way adapters into the mix, the risk of fire increases.

Helpful checks

• Use LED lights rather than filament bulbs, as they stay cooler and use less energy.

• Check that decorations are flame retardant or clearly marked as fire resistant.

• Keep decorations away from radiators, spotlights, halogen lamps and any other heat sources.

• Switch off all decorative lighting when the shop is closed.

• Make sure displays never cover fire alarms, extinguishers or emergency signage.

⚡ 3. Electrical overload in a busy shop

Extra lighting, card machines, festive displays and portable heaters all add to the load on your electrical circuits. Many retail fires start with overheating plugs, damaged extension leads or adaptors that have been daisy chained together.

Helpful checks

• Avoid overloading sockets, one plug per outlet is always the safest option.

• Arrange portable appliance testing each year, especially before the busiest trading period.

• Inspect plugs, cables and sockets for damage, loose fittings or scorch marks.

• Do not run cables under rugs or in places where they can be crushed by trolleys, deliveries or stored stock.

🚪 4. Escape routes and fire exits under pressure

During busy trading periods it is very common to see pop up stands, special offer displays or spare boxes creeping into escape routes. It might feel like a small compromise to gain a little extra sales space, but any delay in evacuation can have serious consequences.

Helpful checks

• Keep exits unlocked and free from obstruction whenever there are staff or customers in the building.

• Make sure escape routes are clearly marked, especially where temporary shelving or stock has changed how people move through the shop.

• Build in a simple end of day fire check, unplug non essential items, confirm exits are clear and make sure extinguishers are visible and accessible.

🧯 5. Time to review your fire risk assessment

The Fire Safety Regulations introduced in 2022 require shop owners, landlords and managing agents to keep their fire risk assessment up to date whenever conditions change. The festive season is a clear example of this. If your layout, stock levels or electrical use look different to your last review, then your fire risk assessment may no longer reflect the real level of risk.

A current assessment helps you confirm that your fire alarm and emergency lighting still suit the way the shop now operates, that fire doors and exits are properly maintained, and that signage, extinguishers and evacuation procedures match the way the space is actually used. Even small seasonal changes can justify a short review visit. This is something we at Southern Fire Risk Assessments provide regularly for small and medium retailers across Sussex.

🎁 Before you wrap up

The festive rush is great for business, but it’s also when small oversights tend to slip in. Taking a moment to check your layout, electrics and procedures now can save a lot of worry later. A quick walk around and an up to date fire risk assessment go a long way toward keeping your shop, your team and your customers safe throughout the season.