In the wake of last night's fatal fire at a Rhode Island nightclub and a stampede earlier this week at a Chicago venue, safety measures at clubs nationwide will likely be reevaluated. What measures should be taken in Boston to ensure the safety of its nightspots? What lessons can be learned -- by venue owners and concertgoers alike -- in terms of safety at clubs? .

Page 26

It could only happen at a rock, or rap concert. No reason to the change the whole national building code. Put thousands of owners in the poor house. Let's stop stupid hockey games and everything else that might put someone in harm's way.

dan, natick

I think they should shut down all these clubs. Specially the ones without enough security.

Mariza, Boston

I think they should shut down all these clubs. Specially the ones without enough security.

Mariza, Boston

Ban pyrotechnics in small venues and only have them in large venues when the fire department is there to supervise. There really should have been a sprinkler system. But, defintely all events should announce where the exits are before any show starts. People should also take it upon themseleves to look for exits as well.

Mike, Franklin

God bless the souls of the deceased....and bless their families... I work at MGH and we are treating some victims and I see the look on the relatives face, and I want to cry. This should have never happened! Nightclubs have to be particular in where their exits are and who and what is going on in these small clubs.

Mary, Revere, MA

I think there was alot of idiocy contributing to this tragedy. I'm not sure ofthe age bracket of the crowd, but anyone and everyone:the band, the patrons, the owners, the employees...they all should have known pyrotechnics in a room that size was just not sensible. It's a shame that it happened because it could have been easily prevented with a little common sense and responsibility.

Kim, Brighton

Very tragic. But it shows that any belief that one can be prepared for a terrorist attack, when we are not even prepared for a fire in a nightclub, show that Homeland security warnings are ajoke!

Shep, North Hampton

All fire exits should be explained to attendies prior to any entertainment starting, we do it in airplanes why not in dwelling people are not familier with. There should not be any explosive material used in shows indoors the risk is far to great. The fines for doing so should be a loss of your licenses for life.

Howard, Tyngsboro Ma

Immediately legislate that public venues have twice the currently required exits. There should be wide hallways with well illuminated signage. There can be no debate on this. Human nature is such that panic sets in and 99% of us become no different than frightened livestock in the face of adversity. There is no excuse for people being allowed to burn alive merely because there were not enough exits or the exits were not wide enough to accomodate the crowd. Sprinklers should be required for any wood structure that accomodates 50 or more people. Period. Wake up people. These places are ticking time bombs and we now realize how lucky we have been up to now. No more needless deaths.

James, Bellingham

Buy a DVD player and stay home.

Jimbo, Brookline