Practical Holiday Safety Tips for Businesses

During the holiday season, businesses deal with bigger crowds, longer hours, and staffing changes, which can all create more opportunities for theft, accidents, or general disruption if the proper precautions aren’t in place.

While the holidays and winter months don’t call for a complete overhaul of your security setup, they do require a closer look at when and where your business may be most vulnerable. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the truth behind seasonal crime, highlight key considerations for business owners, and share practical safety tips to help you protect your team, customers, and assets as the colder months set in.

Does Crime Increase Around the Holiday Season?

Many business owners notice a surge in shoplifting or theft during the holidays, with 53% of small retailers reporting more incidents this time of year and 36% in the manufacturing sector. 

Other businesses, such as those operating in offices or warehouses, may also see more break-ins or attempted burglaries as properties are left unattended during extended holiday closures. 

Local police departments across the country often note in crime statistics small seasonal increases in crimes like larceny, car theft, and vandalism.

But what drives these patterns? 

Is it the darker evenings that create more cover for petty crime? 

The financial stress many face during the season? 

Or is it simply the fact that stores are busier and cash flow is higher?

When you dig into the data, the picture isn’t as dramatic as it might feel. Seasonal crime patterns do exist, but they’re not perfectly predictable, and looking at month-to-month numbers can be misleading. 

While some areas see higher incidents in December, others experience their peak during the warmer months, particularly in June or July. Interestingly, research shows that temperature influences human behavior. Warmer weather tends to draw people outdoors, increasing interactions and, at times, conflict. 

Some smaller spikes later in the year, such as in September or October, are often linked to social events like Halloween rather than traditional holiday motivations. Cargo theft also becomes a greater concern during this time, as the movement of goods increases and trucks or shipping containers can become targets for criminals.

However, although it can feel like crime rises sharply during the holidays, these increases are usually situational and do not indicate a consistent or dramatic seasonal surge.

Strategic Security Without Overspending

Many business owners hesitate to implement security and safety measures during the holidays because of the perceived costs. In some cases, this can leave gaps that opportunistic individuals may exploit. 

Fortunately, precaution doesn’t need to be constant to be effective. By strategically adjusting security and safety measures during higher-risk periods, such as peak shopping days, extended hours, or special events, businesses can cost-effectively protect assets and staff without overextending resources or reacting out of panic.

Data-driven planning can make a real difference. By looking at past incidents or analyzing your busiest periods, you can see exactly when and where extra precautions are needed. 

You can also work with security professionals to review your specific risks and develop practical, targeted strategies that protect your business while making the most of your resources.

Common Crimes to Look Out for During the Holiday Season

During the winter months and around events such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Christmas, business owners may notice certain types of crime becoming more common, including:

• Shoplifting and Larceny: These often rise around busy shopping periods like Black Friday and Christmas. With increased crowds, high product turnover, and distracted staff, there are more opportunities for theft. On December 20th, 2024, there was a retail crime crackdown in California, which led to 117 arrests and a recovery of around $38,000 in stolen merchandise. 
• Robberies: Social events like Halloween can bring more people into public spaces and stores, sometimes with alcohol involved, increasing the chance of confrontations or robberies. For instance, LA sees an average of about 150 more crimes on Halloween compared to normal days. 
• Employee Theft: With temporary holiday staff and higher sales volume, internal theft can see a small uptick. 
• Burglary: While December burglaries aren’t dramatically higher than average, businesses with slower hours or vacant periods over holidays may be slightly more vulnerable.
• Package Theft: Deliveries left outside or in unsecured areas can be targeted during busy holiday seasons, and the sheer volume of shipments makes it easier for thieves to act unnoticed. December 27th and 29th are peak days for cargo theft, with California, Texas, and Florida being the most targeted states.
• Vandalism: During the holiday season, higher activity around a property and periods when it’s unattended can create opportunities for intentional damage, such as broken windows or defaced signage. Police often report a rise in cases involving vandalized Halloween and Christmas decorations, including damaged displays and graffiti.
• Trespassing: Longer operating hours and times when staffing is limited can create opportunities for unauthorized individuals to enter properties.

Extra Considerations During the Holiday Months

Businesses can begin their defenses against potential crime increases during the holiday season by anticipating the unique challenges these months bring.

Temporary or Seasonal Staff

Many businesses hire additional staff to handle holiday demand. While this helps manage increased workload, it also means working with employees who may be less familiar with your operations. Without proper onboarding and supervision, the risk of internal theft or errors rises.

Practical Measures

Plan staffing increases well in advance so applicants can be thoroughly screened and vetted. Starting onboarding earlier allows more time for training, ensuring temporary staff understand policies, procedures, and expectations. 

Owners should also encourage all employees to secure their personal belongings in desks, lockers, or cabinets.

Implement industry-specific and relevant security measures alongside staffing changes. For example, installing surveillance cameras in key areas such as warehouses or stockrooms helps monitor activity and deter potential misconduct. Similarly, access control systems in larger facilities can limit movement to authorized areas, reducing opportunities for internal theft.

Smaller Teams at Certain Times

Even with seasonal staff, businesses sometimes operate with smaller teams during off-peak hours or around holidays. 

Fewer eyes on the floor can create blind spots that criminals might exploit, including theft or distraction tactics, where one person diverts an employee’s attention while another pockets merchandise. 

Smaller teams can also increase the risk of more serious incidents, such as property damage or aggressive confrontations.

Practical Measures

Adjust schedules to ensure at least one experienced employee is present in every critical area to maintain coverage. 

For example, rotating staff through high-risk zones like stockrooms, cash-handling areas, or delivery docks ensures these spaces are always monitored. 

Consider positioning cameras at entrances, exits, and other key locations to maintain visibility when there are fewer staff members. 

In particular, surveillance sentinels can be temporarily deployed in vulnerable or high-traffic areas to provide flexible coverage during busier days or times with fewer staff members. 

These systems are powered by AI-powered face and appearance recognition technology from anava.ai. They can issue situation-appropriate alerts, such as voice warnings like “You’re not allowed in this area” or flashing lights to deter unauthorized activity, and immediately notify teams of issues. 

Crowded Stores and High Customer Volume

The holiday season brings longer lines and busier sales floors. While this is excellent for business, it can also make shoplifting and petty theft easier to execute unnoticed. Small, high-value items like jewelry, cosmetics, or electronics are often prime targets for thieves.

Practical Measures

Train your staff to stay alert, recognize signs of suspicious behavior, and follow clear procedures for reporting their concerns. 

Consider temporarily rearranging stores into a one-way layout, which guides customers and limits blind spots. High-value items should be stored close to the register and ideally in locked cases.

Manage fitting rooms carefully. Even if staffing is limited, dressing rooms should be locked, and customers should be provided with numbered tags for items.

Security guards can be posted at store entrances or other high-traffic areas to identify potential threats and deter criminal activity while assisting customers and reassuring them that the environment is safe.

Extended Hours and Special Promotions

Black Friday, holiday sales, and extended evening hours can push staff to their limits. Fatigue increases the likelihood of missed warning signs, making it easier for theft or other incidents to occur during busy periods.

Practical Measures

Plan staggered breaks so staff remain alert throughout long shifts, and rotate responsibilities in high-traffic areas to prevent burnout. 

Ensure a visible security presence throughout your store and keep a close watch on all entrances and exits using surveillance systems. 

During the busiest times, assign extra staff to high-traffic areas, including cash registers, fitting rooms, and entry points, to help prevent theft and ensure the environment stays safe and well-monitored.

Handling Increased Inventory and Cash Flow

During the holiday season, higher sales mean more cash in registers and faster inventory turnover, which can create opportunities for both internal and external theft as well as mistakes in tracking stock.

Practical Measures

Establish clear cash-handling procedures and ensure all staff are trained to follow them consistently. 

Implement security cameras to monitor key areas and further protect assets, while careful documentation of deliveries and transactions helps maintain accountability throughout busy periods.

General Holiday Safety Tips and Security Measures for Businesses

Implementing proactive measures helps protect employees, customers, and company assets during the holidays. Follow these practical safety tips: 

1. Control Access and Screen Visitors

• Ensure reception or security staff verify all visitors, contractors, or vendors before granting access. 
• Limit the number of entry and exit points to make monitoring easier. Focus security personnel on these areas to track everyone who enters or exits the building.
• Keep a detailed visitor log, noting each person’s purpose and length of stay. This helps security track who is in the building at any time.

2. Protect Sensitive Areas and Information

• Limit employee access to sensitive documents, equipment, or stock. Only authorized personnel should handle these materials.
• Lock storage rooms, warehouses, and high-value areas using keys, access codes, or key cards.
• Close blinds and secure electronic devices after hours to prevent exposure of sensitive information.

3. Manage Cash, Inventory, and Deliveries

• Implement strict cash-handling procedures, keep minimal cash in registers, and make frequent deposits.
• Conduct regular inventory checks and maintain clear documentation to reduce errors and deter theft.
• Store high-value or small items near registers or in locked cases. For deliveries, schedule arrivals during staffed hours and secure packages immediately.

4. Enhance Security Presence

• Deploy visible security personnel in key areas, including entrances, parking lots, and high-traffic spaces.
• Install cameras covering entrances, exits, stock areas, and parking lots to deter crime and provide evidence if incidents occur.
• Schedule regular security patrols to monitor both interior and exterior areas, focusing on high-traffic zones and times of increased activity

5. Prepare for Seasonal Crowds and Events

• Adjust staffing levels and assign security coverage during events, sales, or local festivals.
• Use one-way layouts or controlled access points temporarily to manage customer flow and reduce blind spots.
• Monitor parking lots and outdoor areas with additional lighting and cameras.

6. Limit After-Hours Risks

• Make it clear who is authorized to be in the building after hours. Employees should be cautious about granting access without security personnel present.
• Provide safe escort options for employees leaving late or during low-light conditions.

Holiday Safety Tips for Businesses Outside of Business Hours

The holiday season is full of festive decorations and seasonal activities, but it also increases fire and electrical hazards if precautions aren’t taken.

Taking a few simple steps can help keep your business facility safe 

• Turn Off Lights and Decorations: Always switch off string lights, lamps, and electrical decorations before leaving. 
• Organize Wires and Check Outlets: Keep cords neatly arranged and away from rugs or furniture. Inspect outlets for loose connections or other hazards, and avoid overloading circuits. 
• Avoid Real Christmas Trees: If using a real tree, remove it once the office closes for the holidays. Dry trees are highly flammable, and artificial trees are a safer option.
• Unplug Space Heaters and Appliances: All heat sources, including space heaters, ovens, and electrical appliances, should be unplugged when not in use. Follow the “3-feet rule,” keeping flammable materials at least three feet away from heat sources to prevent accidental ignition.
• Discard Trash and Flammable Debris: Remove all trash and combustible materials from the building. Accumulated debris can fuel fires and create additional hazards if left unattended during the holiday closure.
• Test Smoke Alarms: Ensure all smoke detectors have been tested within the past month and are properly mounted. 
• Keep Fire Alarms and Sprinklers Unobstructed: Avoid hanging decorations from fire sprinklers or alarms. Obstructions can prevent these systems from functioning properly during an emergency, reducing their effectiveness in detecting and controlling fires.

Protecting Your Business During the Holiday Season

Crime prevention during the holidays doesn’t have to mean creating an uninviting atmosphere. 

When businesses implement targeted security measures, such as patrols, surveillance cameras, and access control systems, they can reduce opportunities for theft while maintaining a safe and welcoming space for customers and staff.

At American Security Force, we work alongside you to assess your business needs, identify potential risks, and implement tailored security solutions that fit your operations year-round. With the right measures in place and a little extra awareness during the holidays, you can keep the season prosperous and secure for everyone involved in your business.

Explore our full range of services or contact us today to learn how we can help protect your business and keep your operations running smoothly throughout the holiday season.