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 33

Another tragedy for our great U.S. northeast region and local children who wanted to be with partiers just to enjoy(2 much 2bear). Not only does this wake people up to bring their families together in their home of docile more, It reminds us of how ignorant and human and "yes" we should stay closer to each other with more protection. Whether that protection is given, earned or payed for...by our small business owners for insurance or until its too late. We certainly live a caged existance if we dont know whats good for us. God Bless the poor mothers and fathers and families and the souls of th dead. Amen. Please help the undead hope for a better secured lifestyle.

Harky, Woburn

Even though we all sit there and ignore it, every commercial flight involves the flight attendants pointing out the safety procedures and emergency exits to passengers. All hotel rooms show emergency exits on the inside of the doors. Why don't state officials make it a law to clearly show (via signs, instructions)emergency procedures at the entrance of any building like bars/clubs/restaurants? Any type of increased attention drawn to safety procedures would help.

Amy, Somerville

Oh well. . . .

mike, milton

The time may finally have arrived to ban the use of pyrotechnics from club shows altogether. While large stages, theatres and arenas have fire suppression systems and multiple exits that are clearly marked, few clubs (or club owners) are willing to incur the expense of installing sprinklers and increasing the number of accessible exits. As longs as profits govern the running of clubs, then clubs should be banned from presenting shows that use any form of pyrotechnics. Let the music be the draw, not the fancy extras that have nothing to do with the performance of the bands.

JJF, North Attleborough

As a transplanted Bostonian, and a security professional, I always use the Coconut Grove fire of 1942 as an extreme example of what not to do when I conduct fire prevention and fire safety training. In a way, this tragedy is worse, because it was totally forseeable and thus preventable. The nightclub owners or the entertainers neglected to learn from and were doomed to repeat history.

Matt, Maui, HI

I don't believe for a moment that the owners and managers of the club had no knowledge of this. A display like that takes time to set up and I would think that it would be fairly obvious to the casual observer. They certainly don't resemble sound equipment or other electronics related to the band. Would not the conscientious owner/manager have made even the slightest inquiry as to what they were setting up? My thoughts and prayers go out to the families.

Rob, Brighton

We will pray for the victims and their loved one's left behind in the tragedy. It was a something that didn't have to happen. We pray that it never does again.

Brenda, Bryan & Chris, Dorchester

There should be personnel at each fire exit to assist people in exiting. Apparently per the BBC's report some of the exits were not used in last nights fire probably because no one noticed the other exits in their panic nor was there anyone there to show them.

Julie, Los Angeles, CA