What to Do When a Stranger Knocks at the Door While You're Home Alone

Introduction:

It can be nerve-wracking to find yourself alone at home facing a stranger at your door. However, maintaining your safety and peace of mind is crucial. Here are some tips on how to handle the situation and keep yourself secure.

Basic Precautions

Check the peephole: Look through the peephole to see who is outside before opening the door. This simple action can prevent you from letting someone in without first having a look. Is it someone you're expecting? Verify if the person is someone you’re expecting, such as a professional, a friend, or a family member. Are you properly dressed? Ensure you are dressed appropriately, especially if someone is at the door, to avoid any possible confrontations or misunderstandings.

Calling for Support

If the person is not someone you know, it's essential to call for support. Consider calling the police or a trusted neighbor for assistance. Most modern car keys also have an emergency button that can be pressed in case of danger.

Do not engage: Never engage in conversation with a stranger at the door. Avoid verifying if someone is alone or providing any personal information. Your primary goal is to avoid any interaction or confrontation with the individual.

Myth and Reality: Are You Really Alone?

Of course, for many people, this situation is far from hypothetical. In fact, you might be surrounded by an array of company that you keep. Let’s consider the unusual situation:

I'm never truly alone. The company I keep is quite diverse. Mr. Colt and Mr. Browning hang out in the front room, while old man Henry sometimes hangs out in the garage or on the porch. Smith and Wesson are practically glued to my hip, and the German and Frenchman usually argue with the Italian in the kitchen. The Swiss guy is always in his bed, and there are Slovak and even Russian guests around. When asked, “Are you alone?” my answer is always, ‘No.’

Well, imagine this: ‘No, I'm not alone. I'm hosting a party with Mr. Smith and Wesson who brought their buddy named Remington, and his buddy Glock. Oh, I forgot to mention my pit-bull, Cujo.’

Enhancing Security

For those who are truly alone or prefer added peace of mind, enhancing your home’s security is a wise security door is an excellent investment. This door is made of steel, making it harder for intruders to break in. It includes a deadbolt and heavy-duty perforated steel covering the door. You can answer the door by opening the inner door and keeping the security door locked. While you can see out, they can't see in, and you can communicate with them through the perforated steel.

Security door: Ideal for those who prioritize additional security for their home. Supplementary security: An intercom can be installed to allow verbal communication with visitors without opening the door. Security cameras: Provide real-time video footage and allow verbal communication without opening the door.

For those who do not opt for a security door, increasing the security of the existing door is also a viable option. brInstall a security striker plate, which is a plate on the door frame through which the bolt from the door handle and the bolt from the deadbolt pass. Soft wood door frames are prone to failure when kicked in, but a security striker plate has 6 long screws that go into the house stud, making it much tougher for an intruder.

A deadbolt that doesn’t use a key is another effective choice. This type of deadbolt uses long screws to attach to the house stud. The hinged part swings around, locking in place and resting on the door, making it impossible to unlock from the outside. Install two deadbolts: one a third from the top of the door and one a third from the bottom, to distribute the force and make it harder for the door to be kicked in.

Exit and Entry

It's also wise to be prepared for unexpected situations. If you need to leave through the garage and the garage door stops working, keep the deadbolts unlocked when you're gone and locked when you're home to ensure you can still enter your house safely.

Alarm Systems

An alarm system is another layer of security. If the front door is kicked in while you're away, the alarm will sound and call the police. When you're home, you can put the alarm in “Stay Mode”, which means it will trigger if someone breaks in through the doors or windows. An intercom or security camera can also be set to Stay Mode, so if an intruder breaks in, the alarm will go off. Alarm systems often include panic buttons: one for fire and one for the police. Pushing the police button will sound the alarm and call the police, which may scare the intruder away. The alarm system will also call 911 to provide additional backup.

By following these tips, you can enhance your home's security and feel confident in your ability to handle the situation if a stranger knocks at your door.