Christmas preparations

Christmas safety tips to help ensure your church is prepared for all the extra visitors during the festive season.

Stay on top of your plans by compiling a calendar of events. This will help with the planning of your festive services and activities. Larger events can present some significant risks, so it is a good idea to consider any additional precautions you might need to take to ensure people remain safe.

Consider any necessary safety precautions and whether you have plans in place to manage the event. Find out more about events.

Ensure your plans are up-to-date. Make sure stewards are aware of the plan, including escape routes.

With extra lights and candles, it is important to revisit your fire risk assessment procedures. Our guidance notes offer helpful advice on managing fire safety.

Thoroughly inspect lights for any defects and ensure power leads and cables do not pose a trip hazard. See our guide to electrical wiring.

If your church has a tree, ensure it is secure so it won’t fall over and cause any damage or injury. When choosing a location for the tree, check it doesn’t block the church’s exit routes.

Preparing your church for the celebrations may mean completing tasks at height, for example, putting up lights or other decorations.

See our working at height information for plenty of tips on ensuring those helping this way are kept safe.

Slips and trips are the most common causes of injury in churches. Keep your visitors safe by maintaining footpaths and steps during wintry weather. Read our slips, trips, and falls guidance for more tips on how to protect people at your church.