What should you do when the fire alarm goes off in your building?

When the fire alarm goes off in your building, it is crucial to prioritize safety by evacuating the building and heading to the designated emergency area. This response is rooted in established safety protocols designed to protect individuals from potential harm. Fire alarms are intended to alert occupants to the presence of danger, and immediate evacuation minimizes the risk of injury from smoke inhalation or fire.

Choosing to stay put, as suggested by one option, could expose you to serious danger if the alarm is indeed indicating a real fire. Relying on the possibility of a false alarm is not a safe practice when a clear safety protocol exists for such situations.

Evacuating to the parking garage might seem like a logical option, but it is important to follow the established protocol that directs you to a designated emergency area. Such areas are typically strategically chosen to ensure safety and provide a gathering point for accountability.

Contacting University Police to confirm the alarm is unnecessary and could divert valuable time away from evacuating. In a situation where your safety is compromised, swift action in accordance with fire safety procedures is always the best course of action. Therefore, evacuating the building and proceeding to the emergency area is the most appropriate response when the fire alarm sounds.