What is the proper action upon hearing a smoke detector alarm?

When a smoke detector alarm sounds, the most appropriate action is to evacuate the building and call emergency services. This response is crucial because an alarm indicates the potential presence of smoke or fire, which poses a serious risk to safety. Immediate evacuation minimizes the risk of harm to occupants and allows for a safe distance from potential danger. It is also important to alert the emergency services to ensure that they can respond quickly to assess and manage the situation.

Waiting to see if the alarm stops can lead to dangerous delays, as conditions may worsen. Checking the smoke detector for faults should not take precedence over ensuring personal and building safety. Disabling the alarm is highly discouraged, as it can result in a lack of awareness about a genuine fire or smoke condition, endangering lives. Therefore, the response of evacuating and contacting emergency services is the safest and most responsible action to take when a smoke detector alarm goes off.