The fire on New Year's Eve in a crowded bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana has made the issue of fire safety in outdoor venues relevant again, even in Sweden.
Mats Björs, the general secretary of the Swedish Fire Protection Association, says there are a number of things visitors should think about, such as "Where are the escape routes?" and "How do I get out if an accident occurs here?".
If it does happen, it is important to stay low when you get out. Dangerous smoke and heat start to build up at the ceiling and then are pressed down toward the floor. If you walk upright through such smoke, you will be poisoned, says Mats Björs.
He says it is normally safe to go out to a venue in Sweden because there are regular inspections. But the biggest fire risks are when a venue lets in too many people, has too few escape routes, or uses pyrotechnics in combination with flammable furniture.
Sometimes things can get in the way. You might have forgotten that there was an escape route. It might also be a good idea to think about what flammable materials are in the room and to avoid pyrotechnics, says Mats Björs.
