• Some companies may take the opportunity to bring forward maintenance operations and building works. These should be appropriately fire risk assessed and supervised to ensure they are not creating increased fire risk.

• Review the impact of CoVid 19 on maintenance provision on essential fixed installations for fire-fighters and potential ignition sources such as electrical installations, ducting cleaning etc.

• Consider prohibiting all hot works.

• For all premises that may be unoccupied, ensure that all electrical appliances are switched off and the plugs are removed from sockets

• Ensure that all fire doors are securely closed

• Consider impact of disruptions to waste collections on waste storage and build up causing fire risk.

• Consider security arrangements to address any increased risk of arson for empty premises and waste build up.

• Ensure that security staff and any new or inexperienced security staff are familiar with the emergency plan and procedure for contacting the fire brigade.

• Any staged evacuation arrangements such as progressive horizontal evacuation, which are often in place in hospitals and care homes, need to be supported by appropriate levels of staff. Management should consider the need for appropriate staff resources to allow for this. If these staffing levels are affected by CoVid 19 you will need to review your risk assessment and emergency plan and if you believe that your staffing levels are not sufficient to support your evacuation strategy you should contact the London Fire Brigade. If a fire does occur in your premises you must ensure the fire brigade is called at the earliest opportunity and inform the operator that an evacuation is in progress.

• For employees who will be working from home, please encourage them to take the time to check home fire safety arrangements, and ensure that smoke alarms are fitted, tested and are working correctly.

• Make sure all members of the family know what to do if you have a fire particularly elderly people and children.

• Bedtime Checks – Close doors, unplug electrical appliances and chargers, check heaters are off and candles and cigarettes are properly extinguished.

• Try to remain calm and think of safety: yours, your customers and colleagues is paramount. If the perpetrator has left the premises, consider recording a description and reporting this to police as soon as possible. 
• Trust your instincts and maximise distance between yourself, customers, colleagues and any aggressive parties. 
• Ensure corporate conflict and exit contingency plans are adhered to. 
• Use hold up/ panic alarms if it is appropriate to do so. If there is a hold-up alarm installed use it, but only when safe to do so. 
• Consider the use of body worn video technology to capture evidence and positive impact the behaviour of those involved in violence on your premises.

• Test your alarm, ensure it is monitored and fully operational 
• Identify any vulnerable areas. Rectify these. Ensure security gates, bollards and fire exit doors have been secured prior to closure of the premises. 
• Ensure service doors are closed and locked when not in use. 
• Make sure you have list of key holders who can be contacted in times of emergency. Ensure your contact details for staff are up to date. 
• Consider moving high value items into secured stockrooms and out of view. 
• Ensure keys to the premises or other venues are not left inside and are instead with dedicated key holders. 
• Consider timer switches or ensure sufficient lighting is left on at the premises/surrounding area. 
• Ensure there are no combustible materials left in the proximity of the building such as packaging – consider the risk of arson. 
• Review your CCTV to confirm it is operational, provides good quality images and is positioned to cover as much of the stores public and private areas. You may wish to consider a mobile phone app that allows connectivity and a vocal capacity to engage with any intruder. 
• Ensure that no cash is retained on the premises overnight (leave a note on the door stating that no cash or valuables are kept overnight) or store then in a security accredited safe bolted to the floor.

• Secure by Design products – use security rated products where possible (www.securedbydesign.com) 
• External shutters are recommended but some buildings may be subject to planning approval before installation 
• Ensure all doors leading from public to staff arteries-loading areas etc are kept secure and monitored. 
• Laminated glass or security film that can be applied to existing glass to make it more resistant to a physical assault. Shutters and grilles ( subject to planning regulations may also be a consideration) 
• An insurance rated safe should be bolted to the floor. Anti-tamper sensors can be fitted to set off an alarm if attacked. 
• Anti-ram security tested raider retractable bollards can be mounted externally to protect frontages but may require planning approval. 
• Consider use of anti-theft alarms on most desirable household items. 
• Fogging devices (e.g. a Fog cannon) that activate as a result of an intruder activation may also be beneficial-you can’t steal what you can’t see.

• Premises should be adequately staffed with prominent management present who can make decisions or be identifiable to emergency services. 
• Consider an allocation system or queuing to provide items that are provided on a limited basis – or possible keeping these off shop floor for collection. 
• Meet and Greets on main entrances to provide reassurance, customer care and a subliminal message to any prospective thieves. 
• Where possible SIA licensed security officers should have a visible presence on the premises in strategic areas 
• All prominent household item areas should have a member of staff regulating them and depending on risk assessment consider deploying security into these areas. 
• Establish queueing contingency plans, including any car parking areas, and ensure there is commensurate security, and staff in this area and the main entrances. Reassurance to customers, some of whom may be anxious, is key to reduce anti-social behaviour. 
• Ensure that all staff are fully briefed each day, on emergency procedures and working practices – All staff should remain vigilant and report any violence or suspicious activity to the police. 
• Consider minimising the number of entry points to your building in concert with fire egress. 
• Ensure building perimeters are clear of any debris, dustbins, ladders or loose tools and equipment that could assist entry. 
• Check that your emergency equipment/grab bags, first aid supplies and radio communication systems are operational. 
• Check and test your building security and emergency systems.