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Life Guide U.S. essentials
English

Before going into a KTV, bar or escape room, look at where the safety exits are, and if they are locked or blocked, go somewhere else

  • Top value
  • Evidence A
  • Buys life
  • Free
  • Takes minutes
  • No willpower

In plain words

Under the rules, while an entertainment venue is open, its evacuation routes and safety exits must be clear. They may not be blocked or locked, nothing may be put in the way, and the signs may not be covered. Internet cafes likewise may not lock doors or windows shut. Failing this is illegal, and you can report it. If the room is underground, has only one exit or the hallway is piled with clutter, go somewhere else.

Cost

Free. Look up for 10 seconds as you walk in.

What you get

This is a legal duty of the operator. Failing it is illegal, and you can report it. The regulations say: "During business hours, entertainment venues shall keep evacuation passages and safety exits clear, shall not block or lock them, and shall not set up fences or other obstacles on them that hinder evacuation." The regulations also require that venues "shall put clear signs at evacuation passages and safety exits, and shall not cover or obscure the signs." The same goes for internet cafes, which are required to "not block or lock doors, windows, safety evacuation passages and safety exits during business hours," and to "prohibit open flames for lighting and smoking."

Notes

If any one of the following is true, go elsewhere: the room is underground, it has only one exit, the hallway is piled with clutter, or the safety exit light is off. In a fire in this kind of place the smoke is heavy, the hallways are narrow, there are many people, and most of them have been drinking. The time you have to get out is counted in seconds. By the regulations, the reporting phone number should be written on the warning signs inside the venue.

Evidence grade
A : Specific numbers from meta-analyses, large cohorts or randomized trials; for law and policy, the statute or official text.
Sources
  1. 国务院 (2006). 娱乐场所管理条例（国令第 458 号，第二十、二十一条）. http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2008-03/28/content_6297.htm
  2. 国务院 (2002). 互联网上网服务营业场所管理条例（国令第 363 号，第二十一条）. http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2002/content_61788.htm

Translated from the Chinese original. Original book, section 22, tip 1. Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you. Disclaimer