Safety day gets Littlehampton business all fired up

On Monday (March 2), a team from the town’s fire station, in Maltravers Road, stopped by The Body Shop’s UK head office to kick-off a week-long programme of safety events at the global cosmetics company.

The office complex, in Watersmead Park employs more than 500 people and safety is always a top priority for them.

Fire crews spent the day chatting to The Body Shop’s staff about all aspects of fire safety, both in the workplace and at home.

Littlehampton firefighter James Diston, who organised the visit, said: “The Body Shop is a major employer in West Sussex and this was a unique opportunity to work in partnership with them to boost community safety in the area.

“We’ve been able to talk informally to a large and diverse group of people about how to reduce the risk of fire both in their workplace and in their own homes.”

Advice included the importance of switching off electrical appliances and not overloading sockets, the value of closing internal doors, having an escape plan in case a fire breaks out and the life-saving difference having a working smoke alarm makes.

The Body Shop’s international health and safety manager, Sarah Wilson, said: “We’re committed to improving the well-being of our staff and the wider Littlehampton community.

“Safety isn’t always the easiest subject for people to engage with so I’m particularly grateful to West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and to James in particular for presenting the information in such a user-friendly and informative way.”

The fire team also took the opportunity to raise awareness of fire service’s home fire safety checks and encouraged staff to consider those older people around them who may be at higher risk from fire and who would benefit from the free service.

A full range of home and business fire safety advice is available online – log on to the website here.