Avoid scripted-murder-mystery (剧本杀, "jubensha") and escape rooms located in residential buildings or below the first basement level

Cost: No cost involved. Just ask for the building floor number before booking.
In plain terms: A 2022 notice jointly issued by five government departments clearly states that script-entertainment venues (剧本娱乐, "juben yule") must not be set up inside residential buildings or below the first basement level. These venues often lack proper oversight, have numerous partitions, use highly flammable props, and their doors frequently require puzzle-solving to open. In case of a fire, escaping from such places is far harder than from regular commercial premises. Before booking, check the venue’s floor number and location on review pages, and opt for a compliant venue instead if it does not meet the requirements.
Benefit: The same 2022 notice from five departments lays out very specific requirements: script-entertainment venues (剧本娱乐, "juben yule") are prohibited from operating in residential buildings or below the first basement level. It also mandates that venues must adhere to the Work Safety Law and Fire Protection Law, regularly identify, inspect and rectify fire hazards, and improve their ability to organize evacuations and extinguish incipient fires during emergencies. Additionally, the notice requires all script-entertainment (剧本娱乐, "juben yule") content to include age suitability warnings, and minors are not allowed to enter venues with scenes inappropriate for them. Outside statutory holidays, rest days and school holidays, script-entertainment (剧本娱乐, "juben yule") activities for minors are also strictly prohibited.
Evidence grade: A
Sources:文化和旅游部、公安部、住房和城乡建设部、应急管理部、市场监管总局 (2022). 关于加强剧本娱乐经营场所管理的通知. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2022-06/27/content_5698021.htm
Notes: These venues are typically dimly lit, have many partitions, use flammable props, and their doors often need to be unlocked via puzzle-solving. In case of a fire, escaping from them is far more difficult than from ordinary shops. You can easily check both the floor number and whether the venue is located in a residential building on review pages before booking. If a venue does not comply with the regulations, it is best to choose another one.