Last week's deadly tragedies at nightclubs in Chicago and Rhode Island should prompt the operators of all venues that host large crowds to reassess their strategies for handling emergencies.

Last Monday, 21 people died in a Chicago nightclub as hundreds pushed toward a locked front door after pepper spray was used to break up a fight. In Rhode Island on Thursday, 97 people died and more than 200 were injured when pyrotechnics at an indoor rock concert ignited the wood-frame building.

Both incidents share an eerie similarity: panicked patrons rushed to the exit with which they were most familiar, ignoring other, possibly safer, ways of escape.

Such stampeding is human nature, and it is why venues should do more to educate patrons about safety before events begin.

One useful innovation would be to use the airline model - announce where the exits are and what to do in an emergency before a show begins. In larger venues, such as stadiums and arenas, safety directions could be broadcast over public address systems as part of the opening ceremonies. Many people may not listen to such warnings, but some will and a few people who know what to do can help control a larger crowd in an emergency.

Cincinnati implemented stringent code and enforcement policies after the area experienced two of the nation's worst entertainment venue disasters. The first was the 1977 Beverly Hills Supper Club fire, which killed 165 people. The second was the 1979 Who concert, at which 11 people were crushed as the crowd surged to get into a limited number of entrances at the former Riverfront Coliseum (now US Bank Arena).

Each of those tragedies led to safety reforms and taught local operators and patrons important lessons: It is best to engage the public before tragedy occurs; post signs with simple instructions and directions to the exits and remind customers where. Patrons should think of their own safety before an event begins by identifying exits before they ever need to use them.

As last week's disasters have shown, these are lessons that are worth reviewing any time you walk into a crowded room.