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? .

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There should be a required check of the EXITs before opening for business - that the doors are working, with no outdoor obstructions, and that the EXIT Lights are fully operable. In the case of a live performance, DJ, Karaoke, etc., there should be required opening remarks, similary to what they do on planes, pointing to the exits, and asking for orderly exit, in the event of a fire.

danny, brookline

To educate club goers about their options and proper procedures, larger clubs should announce right before the act goes on where the exits and fire equipment are... similar to what happens in an airplane.

Danny, Arlington

It appears from last night's tragedy that all attendees entered the front door so their natural reaction was to exit that same door. It's a matter of habit for me to know all exits when I attend any event, small and large. No one expects this kind of thing to occurr but both White Snake is liable for setting this blaze and the Club owners as well for not providing staff to safely exit people. Perhaps at all future events and clubs, an announcement can be made to all attendees of where all exits are prior to a start of the night or show.

Patrick, Norwood, MA

There are many things that went wrong on this tragic day. But let us put aside the petty arguements and remember the lost souls. They had dreams and lives to life and today this was sadly taken from them. May God grant them mercy on their souls and give soulace to the families in their time of sorrow.

Shawn, Kansas City

Unfortunately, lots of clubs & resturants are over crowded. I can think of plenty of places in town that something like this could happen in. You can't get in and out of them without pushing your way through. And that's just on a regular night without an emergency.

H, boston

People Panic because that’s the type of world we live in. We are afraid because we live in fear. This word is so sad and everyday the world seems to get more F’d Up Not because of Nature, but because of Man..

Michelle, Canton

Anyone in a nightclub or similar situation who believes that fire code is being violated (overcapacity, locked or blocked exits) should get on a cell phone and call that community's fire department. You may be saving lives.

AE, Boston

It seems we have learned NOTHING from the Coconut Grove Fire of 1948 in Boston. There are too many clubs like this that need to be closed immediately with STRICT ENFORCEMENT current laws and ordinances.

Fran, Burlington

To Lauren in Boston: To say that this fire is the bands fault is really ignorant. You really think that the owners would admitt to allowing this type of fireworks display without having a permit? Come now, they will be the ones to be sued, not the band.

OnceBitten, LA

It is truly sad that this had to happen, but now a new law will hopefully be passed to have sprinklers in ALL buildings, no matter the size or what they are used for. Also, for all the people blaming Great White saying that they are coving their own Behinds is wrong. We do not know what truly happened to allow the Pryo's to be in the club. It might have just been a miscommunication, or the Club owner lied, or GW could have lied, but blaming GW without hearing from all parties is just wrong. What has ever happend to "Innocent till proven guilty"!

Doug, Quincy