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 3

I think all exits need to be identified to a patron prior to entering, a handout. Also, I think that for clubs that will be full, such as the one in Warwick or many clubs in Boston. All clubs should be required to have a security guard or employee stand at each exit to ensure that it's been checked as an unlocked exit ..that it is clear and not being used as a storage area. Obviously, no fire shows in the future should be allowed at shows, it's too dangerous. The amount of people in clubs is ridiculous....You can't move in most of them anyways whether there is an incident or not...The amount of people allowed in clubs should be cut in half, which no one will like, but it needs to happen. With the possibility of terrorist attacks, and people possibly panicing, a rush to exits still will have the potential for possible trampling and falling down, potentially once again blocking access outside of the building... For this reason, the amount of exits and open areas need to be thoroughly re-examined...with SEVERE penalties for those establishments do not follow all guidelines...

mike, quincy

First and foremost, it is the responsibility of restaurants, clubs, etc to meet the state laws for safety. But well above and beyond this (in my opinion), it is each individual's responsibility for knowing where he/she is and how to get out in case of an emergency. It should become a matter of habit that we all know our surroundings. People will be quick to point the finger, and what happened in Rhode Island truly is tragic, but we all owe it to ourselves to take care of ourselves to the best of our ability.

Beth, Brookline

I think the Chicago and R.I. incidents, tragic as they are, will spark a reform with respect to nightclub safety. Going forward, the first thing I will do after walking into a bar/club is to locate the emergency exit. It's something I never thought I'd have to do, but in light of these incidents, I'm now forced to modify my behaviour a bit.

Rich, Jamaica Plain

Sprinklers should be mandatory everywhere. Double doors that open out in at least three locations with large illuminated exit signs.

Mary Ann, Arlington

What needs to be done to prevent this from happening again is stricter enforcement of occupancy limits and licenses. I've been to numerous clubs where I know for a fact that the number of people in the establishment is beyond the capacity limit but yet these places for whatever reason get away with it week after week.

Name Withheld, Boston

During a New Year's Eve celebration at a popular Boston Club, it was well over capacity. It was one of the larger techno clubs in Boston. It was so crowded (including the VIP area) that our coats were all standing in the corner and not falling to the ground. I can only imagine the number of people who must have wet their pants, because it would have been IMPOSSIBLE to get to the bathroom. And mind you, they sold tickets ahead of time for this, this wasn't pay at the door. It is scary to think what would have happened had a fire broken out there on that night.

Mish , Brockton, MA

I'm very upset. When I was in my teens and early 20's I played in a Rock band that played in a few Asbury Park, NJ clubs. During the late 70's and early 80's. It was the same issues back then, the club owners had to max out the clubs to make money, they all cut corners to say the least, no one is going to say anything. The real problem is not the Club people and Bands but the City and Towns, they need to have a staff that goes out and inspects these clubs all the time. Then if they are caught in violation, give the club a very stiff penalty, not just the proverbial slap on the wrist, also there is payoffs too, sometimes cops and city people are the bad guys, they get a bribe to look the other way.

kokoro, Boston, MA

There all unsafe, all it takes is for something to happen and everybody is for themselves. People will jump and stomp on you to save themselves. It does not matter were you are. When there is pandamodium people die. All these people died because of mistakes. Stupid mistakes.

Todd, Wilmington

I'm not a safety expert and I'm guessing that people posting messages aren't either, so I'd be very suspicious about anybody who labeled a specific business "unsafe," "dangerous," etc. In light of this horrible tragedy in Warwick, it's far too easy for somebody to libel or slander a business on this website.

Scott, Melrose

I'm a little older than most club goers however just a couple of years ago I went to a very trendy club on Commonwealth Ave and I was frightened by how dark this place was and how confusing it was to get around AND there were candles lit everywhere!! I was very concerned then and I still am on safety in our clubs!

Pat, Woburn