Autumn Risks. Plan Ahead, Trade with Confidence
We’ve teamed up with Aviva to bring you practical advice to keep your business steady this autumn. No jargon, no red tape, just tools you can actually use.
Autumn Brings More Than Falling Leaves
For small businesses, autumn can mean:
- Slippery entrances and wet leaves creating trip hazards
- Leaks and bursts as temperatures drop
- Heavy rain and localised flooding
- Darker commutes and busier roads with more cyclists and e-scooters
- Disruptions hitting right before a busy trading period
The good news? With the right checks in place, most of these can be prevented.
👉 Download your free Autumn Risk Management Guide it’s packed with checklists and templates you can put into action today.
What Should You Be Thinking About This Autumn?
1. Slips, Trips & Falls
Rain, mud and poor lighting make slips the top seasonal risk.
“Focus on looking at the slip, trip and fall ‘hotspots’ and what’s causing them. Once you know what the priority areas for improvement are, you can target these areas to minimise future likelihood of injury.”
Even small improvements can cut accident claims and keep your team safe.
2. Escape of Water
Colder nights often expose weak pipework. One small leak can damage stock, IT systems and electrics.
“Escape of water and fluid leakage claims are accounting for around a third of all claims by value.”
Check your stopcocks are labelled and accessible, insulate exposed pipes, and consider leak detection before you’re mopping up damage.
3. Flooding and Storms
Autumn storms are becoming more intense, with drains often overwhelmed by sudden downpours.
“Homes and businesses are more likely to suffer damage by flooding than by fire.”
Sign up for flood alerts, clear your gutters and drains, and have a simple flood plan ready.
4. Road Safety and Vulnerable Road Users
Shorter days and wetter roads increase the risk of collisions, particularly with cyclists, motorcyclists and e-scooter riders.
“Employers therefore have a responsibility to ensure their drivers fully understand this personal liability and stay vigilant to the risk they pose to vulnerable road users when behind the wheel.”
If your team drives for work, refresh driver briefings, check blind spots, and consider in-vehicle cameras or sensors.
5. Business Continuity
An incident in October could hit your busiest trading weeks. A quick continuity test now can save months of pain later.
“Business continuity planning should be regarded as a priority for any business, from SMEs to large organisations. Every year, businesses across the UK face unplanned and unwanted events that may challenge their survival.”
Run a short exercise: what would you do if you lost power, had a burst pipe, or couldn’t access your premises?
Inside the Free Guide
- A slip, trip and fall prevention checklist
- A water leak emergency sheet
- Flood planning tips and checklists
- A driver safety and VRU awareness guide
- A 5-step continuity plan for SMEs
Final Word
“Autumn risks like slips, falls, and floods are predictable, which means they’re preventable. This guide gives FSB members a chance to stay one step ahead.”
Ready for a Safer Autumn?
“Autumn risks like slips, falls, and floods are predictable, which means they’re preventable. This guide gives FSB members a chance to stay one step ahead.”
Don’t wait for the first storm, leak or slip to catch you out.
👉 Download your free guide today and join hundreds of small firms protecting what they’ve built.
Need tailored insurance or risk planning advice? Call us on 020 3883 7976, we’re here to help.
You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back.