A Christmas party is a big part of everyone’s seasonal itinerary – whether it’s an office night on the tiles, friends getting together, or a family meal, it’s truly a gold mine for hospitality venues that have no doubt been preparing their stock, menus, and holiday discounts for months.
If you have a venue that hosts such events, have you ticked all the health and safety boxes in preparation for all the guests coming your way in the winter season? Here are a few essentials to consider.
Slippery When Wet Signs
Slippery floor signs are must-haves for the wet weather we often get around Christmas. Whether it’s snow, ice, or just good old rain, visitors stomping around with wet shoes significantly increases the likelihood of nasty slips and falls.
Then, of course, there are the tipsy guests who may spill a drink or two.
Some ways to reduce the risk of injuries include placing water-absorbent welcome mats around the doors and making sure regular mopping is part of your team’s rota.
You should also invest in some ‘slippery when wet’ signs for the most hazardous locations – you can never be too safe!
Fire Safety
Another thing to take into account as part of your risk assessment is fire safety. Christmas table arrangements and decorations often feature candles, which can be a safety hazard even before alcohol gets involved.
That’s not to say you should completely cut them from your festive décor, but there are some health and safety precautions you can take.
Firstly, check that any decorations you purchase are compliant with fire safety regulations. You should also check up on the fire extinguishers in your venue to ensure they are both functional and easy to access - it’s worth running a fire drill with your employees ahead of the holidays to ensure they’re up to date on safety procedures.
Of course, you should also have clearly marked fire exits in the event that any accidents cannot be quickly contained. If you haven’t already, invest in fire safety signs for all relevant doors.
Finally, why not make the switch to battery-operated candles, instead of the real deal? They may not look as authentic, but they dramatically reduce the fire risk.
Food Hygiene
With how busy kitchens get around the festive season, and the sheer multitude of dishes which need to be prepped, the risks of improper food handling increase.
To avoid unpleasant – or potentially even unsafe – experiences among your patrons, and consequent damage to your reputation, make sure your team are all trained on food safety and hygiene procedures.
Highlight the most important points with clearly displayed kitchen safety signs, reminding people to wash their hands, follow cooking temperature guidelines, and be mindful of allergens.
Clear Signage
When you’re dealing with holiday crowds, clearly communicating key messages is essential for ensuring everyone is safe and things run smoothly. Directional signage, for instance, can help guide guests to different areas around the venue, including the cloakroom, bathrooms, and smoking area.
Speaking of smoking, another essential warning for patrons (especially the keen social smokers) is no smoking safety signs. These are very useful not just for the indoors, but also for smoke-free outdoor areas which can easily be taken over by more intoxicated guests in search of a place to light up.
Make sure you also have clear access prohibition signs to avoid any confusion and steer guests clear from areas designated for authorised personnel only. Nobody wants an accidental visitor in the kitchen or back office.
Venue Safety and Comfort
Some other steps you can take to ensure that all visitors have a memorable time, for the right reasons, include double-checking all your Christmas decorations for hidden risks. Watch out for things like trip hazards, flammable materials, and anything that can easily shatter.
Considering you’ll be hosting sizeable crowds, you also want to ensure you’re maintaining good air quality. You can do this through proper ventilation with the help of tools like heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVACs) and air purifiers. This has the added benefit of reducing the spread of any viruses during peak flu season.
Find out more about minimising air pollution.
Employee Training
Preparing your team ahead of the holiday rush is also a key element to a successful festive season in hospitality. Before you get to the busiest time on your booking calendar, hold a staff training session to go over essentials such as crowd control, dealing with patrons who have overindulged, and your company’s health and safety procedures.
Seasonal Safety with Label Source
Getting your hospitality venue ready for the Christmas rush extends beyond the festive menu and decorations. Make sure you’re ticking all the boxes for safety, hygiene, and clear signposting to avoid headaches during the most wonderful time of the year.
Need some assistance selecting the best signs to ensure your venue is secure and enjoyable for patrons and employees alike? Get in touch with our team.
