Staying Safe at Nightclubs
by Stefano Esposito, The News Tribune

5 essentials to staying safe in crowded nightclubs

    The key to staying safe in a nightclub is to be aware of your surroundings, says Anjela Foster, chief deputy state fire marshal.
    "They need to take responsibility for their own safety," Foster said of clubgoers. "If something doesn't look or feel safe, people need to trust their intuition."
    Foster offers these tips:

• Always known where the exits are.
• Be aware of what's going on around you.
• If you're in the middle of a crowd of rushing people, don't try to stand still because you'll likely be trampled. Try to work your way toward another exit.
• If the lights go out during a fire, find a wall and follow it to an exit. Avoid standing next to walls where crowds are especially large.
• Don't retreat to a bathroom if you need to escape a club in a hurry. In checking several Tacoma nightclubs, News Tribune reporters found many bathrooms have no windows.

If you notice fire hazards, report them to authorities

    People who spot potential fire hazards in public places should call their local Fire Prevention Bureau or their local fire department's non-emergency number.

• In Tacoma, the fire department can be reached at 591-5737, and the Fire Prevention Bureau at 591-5740.
• In Federal Way, the fire department's general information number is 253-839-6234.
• In Puyallup, the fire department's 24-hour number is 253-845-6666.
• In Lakewood, the fire department number is 253-582-4600.
• If people spot what they think is a life-threatening problem, they should call 911, local fire officials say.

Return to Past Articles
Sharon Mihelich
Contact: dos@ups.edu