"A number of schools across the country use (stoppers), and they have a total reduction in false alarms," Comeau said.
In addition to taking every alarm seriously and always evacuating the building, Comeau also advises to "always know two ways out, no matter where you are ... because that can save you're life." In situations where students are faced with a smoke-filled corridor, he recommends turning back into the room, closing the door, sealing off the bottom and calling the fire or police department to alert them of your whereabouts and danger.
Despite University efforts, Mitchell Hall residents said they are still perturbed by the alarms. Sophomore Samantha Austin, who lives one of Mitchell's about 100 singles, said the timing of the alarms is what really bothers her.
"I wake up tired the next morning because I don't get a full night's sleep and it's awful," Austin said.
She said while she understands the University's policy on mandatory evacuations, she is considering staying inside the next time an alarm goes off. She added that GW should be doing more to prevent the mischief.
"It's a stupid thing not to go out but I'm tired of standing outside at 3 o'clock in the morning," Austin said.
Sophomore Mark Dauigoy said there is a real danger that students in Mitchell Hall will not evacuate if there is a real fire because of the boy-who-cries-wolf effect of the false alarms.
Dauigoy described the general feeling of Mitchell Hall's residents as "pissed off." He said the person who thinks they are playing a joke on residents should consider the effect it is having on other students.
"This is a dangerous thing you're playing with," Dauigoy said. "It may be a prank, but you're messing with the safety of everyone around here."
In addition to taking every alarm seriously and always evacuating the building, Comeau also advises to "always know two ways out, no matter where you are ... because that can save you're life." In situations where students are faced with a smoke-filled corridor, he recommends turning back into the room, closing the door, sealing off the bottom and calling the fire or police department to alert them of your whereabouts and danger.
Despite University efforts, Mitchell Hall residents said they are still perturbed by the alarms. Sophomore Samantha Austin, who lives one of Mitchell's about 100 singles, said the timing of the alarms is what really bothers her.
"I wake up tired the next morning because I don't get a full night's sleep and it's awful," Austin said.
She said while she understands the University's policy on mandatory evacuations, she is considering staying inside the next time an alarm goes off. She added that GW should be doing more to prevent the mischief.
"It's a stupid thing not to go out but I'm tired of standing outside at 3 o'clock in the morning," Austin said.
Sophomore Mark Dauigoy said there is a real danger that students in Mitchell Hall will not evacuate if there is a real fire because of the boy-who-cries-wolf effect of the false alarms.
Dauigoy described the general feeling of Mitchell Hall's residents as "pissed off." He said the person who thinks they are playing a joke on residents should consider the effect it is having on other students.
"This is a dangerous thing you're playing with," Dauigoy said. "It may be a prank, but you're messing with the safety of everyone around here."
