Burglar / theft alarms - Do you react to them?

[Davi]

Pretty much daily around our way you'll hear an alarm go off. Sometimes it's my neighbours house alarm as they seem incapable of getting to it in time when entering the place, so we ignore it. Sometimes it's the old boys car alarm opposite, as he leaves windows open and things fly in and set it off, so we ignore it. Last night I was outside when I heard a car alarm go off in the next road along. I ignored it. actually I tutted to myself about how bloody bloody annoying it was. Then I heard an engine being bounced off the limiter, tyres squealing and some shouting. The engine screamed through the gears into the distance. It was fairly obvious that I'd just witnessed (aurally) a car being nicked.

If I'd thought when I first heard it that it was being nicked I could probably have got there before they got it started, so I then felt a bit guilty! Just highlighted to me that alarms are really pointless nowadays.

[sneijder]

Exactly, in an airport, fire alarm goes off. No one wants to lose their place in the check in queue so stay put.

[s3fella]

Yes, always, head straight to my exit, wiping prints off en route!

[NiceCupOfTea]

Yes, usually - wouldn't want mine being ignored if it went off.