According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), school fire drills are meant to help students not only in situations in school, but also in situations at home. Students should take school fire alarms more seriously; their personal safety is at stake.

“It’s an alarm that signals a life threatening danger,” junior Katherine Zamora said. “It shouldn’t be played around with because it can be serious.”

When someone pulls the fire alarm at school, firefighters immediately rush to the scene ready and equipped to put out hazardous flames. According to WHSV (a television station based in Virginia), it costs taxpayers and the fire department $300 to $600 for the trip to the school.

“It should be taken seriously,” sophomore Moyoninuoluwa Odunaiya said. “We’re missing class time, and it’s not fair to the ones who want to learn.”

According to the Texas Penal Code, it is a Class A misdemeanor to falsely pull a fire alarm. A Class A misdemeanor is the most severe because the punishments can range from fines of $500 up to $5,000, one year imprisonment, community service or rehabilitation time.

The fire alarm is very serious, and it should not be tampered with. By falsely pulling the fire alarm during school hours, the education of students is being disrupted.