Nightclubs: All nightclubs, whether they’re up to code or not, are a hotbed for disaster. First you have a large crowd. People are drinking and smoking. Couple that with an under 35 crowd at most clubs and almost anything can and will happen at any time. Assume nothing especially that nothing will happen. Check out where ALL the exits are, not just one, and test them yourself. It will take only minutes, minutes that could save your life when you have only minutes to get out. Know where the windows are in case that ends up being your only route of escape. And rethink your stay if there’s no sprinkler system visible. No band is worth your life.

Restaurants and Banquet Halls: The same holds true here. Restaurants deal with fire and gas kitchens. Anything could happen -- from a fire to an explosion. Many exits could be blocked. Know where ALL the exits are and which are closest to where you are seated so you don’t find yourself in a bottleneck situation in case of an emergency. If you’re in the back of the restaurant, away from the front entrance, what are you routes of escape? Are there visible fire extinguishers on the walls? Remember, it’s the herd mentality that takes over in a panic situation. You want to be prepared, not one of the herd.

Airplanes & Airports: The beauty of airplanes is that flight attendants point out the exits and other safety features during the take off process. Granted, they do have a seated, relatively attentive audience, and if you do crash, it’s not likely you’ll be using the exits anyway. But at least the effort is made in case of a crash landing. Airports have many exit routes but who really pays attention? Concourses are long and narrow. In a panic situation people will quickly and easily bottleneck into one end. With most airports requiring a two-hour advance check-in, there’s plenty of time for many things to occur but also plenty of time for you to check out the exits. Just do it!

While you may be familiar with your local establishments because you frequent them, you are likely not familiar with these types of places when you travel. Because they are unfamiliar is all the more reason to check them out. Make it the first thing you do when you enter any building, and be sure to ask where the exits are if they’re not clearly marked. Complacency is your worst enemy.

Most fires, it seems, happen in the heat of the night when it’s dark, when we’re sleeping, or drinking, or otherwise engaged in joyous activities. Switching your mindset from sleep mode or party animal to making life and death decisions in a split second is a huge leap during a dangerous and panic-stricken moment. If you’re not prepared, you could likely make all the wrong decisions when danger knocks. Your second worst enemy is thinking it will never happen to you. (CONTINUE...)