I spent a large part of my life to the age of about 35 living from hotel to hotel. I always checked the exit route out (before they are as well marked as they are nowadays).

I have been in a hotel fire. It wasn't a big one but at least I knew the way out and quickly. It is not knowing the way out when there is no fire that's the problem - but when the room/corridor is full of smoke and there are alarms going off it is not quite as easy.

I have been at a folk festival where the main room had to be emptied and quickly. The H and S systems worked. It is bound to happen again - I hope they work next time as well. When MC ing I ask people to locate the nearest exit to them. I reckon that is mostly what is needed. Unless like one venue where there was a door that looked like an exit that wasn't. So you warn people about that too.