diff --git a/code/__HELPERS/areas.dm b/code/__HELPERS/areas.dm
index 3b1496bae0..d7378abfa6 100644
--- a/code/__HELPERS/areas.dm
+++ b/code/__HELPERS/areas.dm
@@ -227,6 +227,8 @@
 /proc/get_sub_areas_contents(area/A, include_base = TRUE)
 	if(ispath(A))
 		A = GLOB.areas_by_type[A]
+	else
+		A = get_area(A) //in case it's called on other atoms.
 	if(!A)
 		return
 	if(A.base_area)
diff --git a/code/game/machinery/firealarm.dm b/code/game/machinery/firealarm.dm
index 0e2363cb6a..5555e05eb0 100644
--- a/code/game/machinery/firealarm.dm
+++ b/code/game/machinery/firealarm.dm
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@
 					return
 				else if(W.force) //hit and turn it on
 					..()
-					var/area/A = get_area(src)
+					var/area/A = get_base_area(src)
 					if(!A.fire)
 						alarm()
 					return
diff --git a/code/modules/VR/vr_sleeper.dm b/code/modules/VR/vr_sleeper.dm
index b62c17832a..29d7224950 100644
--- a/code/modules/VR/vr_sleeper.dm
+++ b/code/modules/VR/vr_sleeper.dm
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@
 	if (!vr_area)
 		qdel(src)
 		return
-	var/list/contents = get_sub_areas_contents(src)
+	var/list/contents = get_sub_areas_contents(vr_area)
 	for (var/obj/item/ammo_casing/casing in contents)
 		qdel(casing)
 	for(var/obj/effect/decal/cleanable/C in contents)