Final answer:
The protective action to take when it is safer to be outside a building than inside is evacuation.
Step-by-step explanation:
If it is safer to be outside a building than inside, the protective action to take is called evacuation. Evacuation is the process of quickly and safely leaving a building or area during an emergency, such as a fire, earthquake, or chemical spill. It is important to follow evacuation procedures and go to designated safe areas to minimize the risk of injury or harm.
For example, in the case of a fire in a building, it is generally safer to evacuate and be outside where there is fresh air and lower risk of smoke inhalation. Staying inside a burning building can be extremely dangerous due to the potential for structural collapse, smoke inhalation, and other hazards.