The Lincoln Log

Photo by Dana Lui

Right in the middle of a test that is requiring you to use up every minute of the time you have in class, the fire alarm is pulled. In your mind you know that someone pulled it because of some stupid reason. In your mind you know that the person who pulled it probably did it because he wanted to get out of presenting, or some other reason that would help him get out of some project. Now all you are left is a incomplete test.

These random fire alarm pullings are extremely disruptive; especially in class. Why should others pay for another person’s joy and/or procrastination? The alarms going off are especially disruptive during the finals. People are diligently taking their test when someone pulls the fire alarm and everybody in the class must stop taking their test. This makes some people either cheat while outside or make others lose points because they run out of time.

If students keep pulling the fire alarm when there isn’t a real fire, then the students will take the fire drills less seriously. Even now people don’t take the fire drill seriously. You can always see people playing around in the hallways and not listening to what the teachers have to say. The lethargic teenagers are never in their designated area. Instead, people just walk around searching for their friends or just messing around. I have heard some kids say “Man, if their was a real fire we would be dead already.” They’re right, if there was a real fire at Lincoln, people would be running like chickens with their heads cut off. The only thing people would do is run to save themselves and not report to their designated area. This in return will cause teachers and administrators more stress and problems because not all students have checked in with their teacher. Then the administrators would assume that someone has died. Some students may get run over, a helpless kid trips and falls while hundreds of kids just run by him not stopping to help him up. Also, some assume that it’s a drill and just walk slowly, causing a familiar back up in the staircases.

Those are the basic reasons why people pull a fire alarm. People want to cheat. They are so desperate that they pull the alarm and get answers from their friends. While some kids pull the alarm for kicks or the thrill and excitement of doing something and and getting caught. They love how every second and every heart beat that passes by, adrenaline is pumping through their body as they run to escape.

Some students don’t care, while some complain and are really getting annoyed now with these pranks. It is disruptive in all levels and a danger to everyone’s health and well-being. People are being endangered. Some might think it’s funny now, but it won’t be funny when you have to help carry your friend’s coffin to his final resting place six-feet-under.