Check where the emergency exits are before entering a KTV, bar, or escape room; if they’re locked or blocked, pick another venue.

By law, entertainment venues must keep all evacuation routes and emergency exits completely unobstructed during operating hours. They cannot be blocked, locked, used to store items, or covered by anything, nor can any signs indicating their location be hidden. The same rules apply to internet cafés — their doors, windows, evacuation routes, and exits must also remain open at all times. Failing to comply is illegal, and you have the right to file a complaint. If a private room is located underground, has only one exit, or its corridors are cluttered with debris, choose a different venue instead.

No cost at all. Just take 10 seconds to look around when you enter.

Ensuring unobstructed evacuation routes and exits is a mandatory legal obligation for venue operators. Noncompliance is illegal and reportable. The exact wording of the regulation reads: “During operating hours, entertainment venues must guarantee that evacuation routes and emergency exits remain unblocked; they cannot be sealed, locked, or fitted with barriers that hinder evacuation.” It also stipulates that “clear signage must be posted at all evacuation routes and exits, and such signage must not be obscured or covered.” Internet cafés are similarly required to “keep all doors, windows, evacuation routes, and exits open at all times during business hours” and to “ban open flames and smoking.”

If any of the following issues are present, pick another venue: private rooms located underground, only one exit available, corridors filled with clutter, or nonfunctional emergency exit lights. In the event of a fire at such venues, thick smoke, narrow corridors, and large crowds of intoxicated patrons make escape extremely difficult — you may have only seconds to get out. Per regulations, the contact number for filing complaints must be clearly displayed on warning signs throughout the venue.

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；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