As the holiday season approaches, dining consumption peaks, leading to concentrated use of fire, electricity, and gas in restaurants. Grease accumulation in ventilation ducts is common, and high customer turnover can easily block evacuation routes. Some establishments may have issues such as illegal residential occupancy, unauthorized electrical wiring, and aging gas hoses, creating overlapping safety risks.
On April 29, 2025, a major fire broke out at the Sanli Chuniang Restaurant in Baita District, Liaoyang City, Liaoning Province, resulting in 22 deaths and 3 injuries. The direct cause of the fire was an unextinguished cigarette discarded by a customer. Driven by wind, the cigarette entered a maintenance opening through a gap under an aluminum-plastic ventilation duct attached to the exterior wall, igniting garbage such as stacked cardboard boxes inside. This led to the rapid combustion and spread of the aluminum-plastic decorative panels and polystyrene insulation on the building's exterior.
On June 21, 2023, a gas explosion occurred at the Fuyang Barbecue Minzu Street store in Xingqing District, Yinchuan City, Ningxia, causing 31 deaths and 7 injuries. The accident was caused by illegal inspection, operation, and distribution of non-compliant liquefied petroleum gas cylinders by the related company, coupled with improper handling by the barbecue restaurant leading to leakage and explosion. Failure to organize an evacuation, severe blockage of the only staircase by a collapsed wall, and sealed street-facing windows on the second floor blocked by a welded steel billboard significantly hindered escape efforts, exacerbating casualties.
During peak dining seasons, surging customer flows make safety a critical concern. To prevent risks and curb accidents, dining establishments should conduct self-inspections based on the following seven safety points.
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