Summer Risks. Prepare, Prevent & Stay Protected.

We’ve teamed up with Aviva to bring you real‑world, practical advice to help keep your business running smoothly this summer. No jargon. Just stuff that works.

Summer’s Great, But It Comes With Business Baggage

You’ve worked hard to build your business. The last thing you want is a fire, a leak, or some unexpected chaos ruining your summer sales. And yet, every year, it hits businesses just like ours.

Heatwaves. Distracted drivers. Pop‑up events. Staff on holiday. Empty premises. It all adds up to a bit of a risk cocktail.

That’s why we pulled this together, something you can actually use. Not box‑ticking or policy reading. Just helping you protect what you’ve built.

👉 Grab your free Summer Risk Management Guide

It’s packed with checklists, tools and tips!

Whether you’re trading at a summer market, running a retail unit, or juggling your team while people are off, this guide’s built with small businesses in mind.

What Should You Be Thinking About This Summer?

1. Fire and Arson

Summer and fires tend to go hand in hand, especially when bins are left too close to buildings or kit overheats.

Did you know nearly half of all commercial fires are started on purpose?

“Arson is one of the leading causes of fires in commercial premises, accounting for nearly half of all fires attended by the Fire and Rescue Services.”

The good news? A few simple steps make a big difference. Store waste safely. Lock up flammables. Do a daily walk‑round.

There’s a 70‑point checklist in the guide; bins, locks, alarms, it’s all there.

2. Sun and Heat: Not Just a Holiday Problem

If you’ve got people working outdoors, markets, deliveries, pop‑ups, sun and heat aren’t just uncomfortable; they’re a health risk.

“Too much sunlight can cause skin damage including sunburn, blistering and skin ageing. In the long term, it can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer.”

Yes, it’s a legal thing. But more importantly, it’s about looking after your team. You can access a sun safety checklist to make this easy.

3. Driving and Drug Risk

Summer roads get busier, festivals, tourists, everyone’s out and about. More cars, bikes, people trying their luck, and sadly, more impaired driving incidents.

“Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all employees while at work.”

If your team’s behind the wheel, now’s the time to update your driving policy. You can find a driver checklist; no need to build one from scratch.

4. Smoke and Water: The Hidden Damage

It’s not only fires you need to worry about. Even a small smoky fire can ruin stock, IT, or packaging.

“Even small fires can be very smoky and this can have a significant effect on:

• Fixtures, floor coverings, wall coverings, ceiling tiles, etc.
• Floor and ceiling voids and associated data and power systems
• Electrical fittings, electrical contacts, switchgear, etc.>/li>
• IT equipment
• Any products or packing materials in your supply chain, finished goods, raw materials, in‑process stock, etc…”

And let’s not forget water leaks, empty buildings, unexpected bursts, and job done. Not fun.

The guide includes a smoke and water audit you can do yourself, or give to a team member. Simple actions, overlooked too often.

Here’s What You’ll Find in the Guide

We didn’t write this to scare you. We wrote it because too many business owners say, “If I’d just known earlier…”
So inside, you’ll find:

• A useful fire and arson checklist
• Sun‑safety tips for outdoor work
• A quick review sheet for smoke risks and leaks
• A fleet and driver checklist
• A 5‑step continuity plan to keep you trading if the worst happens

“Planning to deal with incidents as effectively as possible, and then recover, resume and restore your business to a pre-defined level after an incident, is essential. Without adequate, tested plans, businesses experiencing major disruption could fail to recover.”

Our CEO, David Perry said it best:

“Many of the claims we see over summer involve risks that could have been prevented. This guide gives FSB members a practical head start.”

Want to Avoid a Summer Kerfuffle?

Here’s your moment. Do what you can now, before something hits. You’ll thank yourself later.

👉 Join hundreds of small firms getting ready for a safer summer. Download your free guide now.

Need help with insurance or risk planning? We’re happy to chat.

You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back.