How to Answer a Knock on the Door

Last Updated: February 24, 2022

It happens to most of us. You're sitting down, watching TV, and you hear a knock on the door. While most of the time we don't even think about it, but the person on the other side of the door could potentially be dangerous. Whether you're a child or an adult, this article will help you safely answer the door in any situation.

Steps

1
Take precautions beforehand. These can be as simple or complex as you'd like. Keep in mind the type of neighborhood you live in; if you live in a part of town that is known to have crime, some or all of the below precautions may be necessary, whereas in a "safer" neighborhood they may not be.
- Install a security camera.^{[1]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Saul Jaeger, MS
  Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
  Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.} This will allow you to see anyone that comes to your door before you open it, and will also deter burglars. Even having a fake camera can scare away thieves if you aren't willing to pay for a real one. If you do install a security camera, putting up a sign indicating video surveillance is a good idea, and may be even be required in certain areas.
- Install an intercom speaker system. It is actually less expensive than you think, and is a good way to safely communicate with people at your door without actually opening it.
- Get a secure door chain if you don't already have one. This will allow you to speak to strangers through a small gap rather than open the door all the way. Make sure it is securely mounted with long screws so it will hold in case someone tries to push their way inside. The standard screws that come with the door chain are often too short and weak to withstand force.
- Get a dog. Mean-looking or barking dogs will deter any strangers with bad intentions. Burglars often don't want to deal with dogs and will avoid your home altogether if it is evident that you own one.
2
Ask yourself if you're expecting anyone around that time. Did you make plans for your friend to come over, or arrange for the plumber to fix your leaky sink? If so, it could be them, but it is still wise to double check before opening the door. If you aren't expecting anyone, there's no need to panic. They are likely a stranger, but it could still be an unexpected visit from someone you know.

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3
Look out a window to see who it is. Avoid looking out the door's window (if you have one), and instead look out an adjacent window that is away from the door. That way they can't see you, and you can safely assess whether or not you know and trust them. If you have a peephole, you can use that as a method of identification too.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.}
4
If you don't know or trust the person at your door, consider arming yourself. It doesn't have to be with a firearm, either. A knife, baseball bat, pepper spray, golf club, etc. could also be used. Especially if you feel uncomfortable or that the person is suspicious, having a means of protecting yourself could help you feel more secure and potentially save your life in a bad situation.
5
Ask who it is, and have them verify their identity if they claim to be a worker or salesman.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.} Any valid worker or salesman should be able to verify their legitimacy with the company they represent. If they can't or refuse to do so, decline their offer and ask them to leave your property or come back later. Just because they are dressed in uniform doesn't mean you should trust them.
6
If the visitor is unwanted, tell them to leave. For example, if a salesman comes to your door selling something and you are uninterested, just tell them "No thank you." If you don't trust them or don't have time to listen, you could say "Sorry, I'm busy right now. Could you come back later?" Be polite the first time, but if they don't listen, continue to bother you, or insist to stay, call the police.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.}
7
Agree on a code word with your family and friends, and use it to ensure visitors can be trusted. Make the code word something really strange that you wouldn't normally use in conversation and couldn't easily guess, like "kangaroo". You could even make it multiple words or a phrase, such as "I like apple pie" to greatly reduce the chances of a stranger guessing it. Don't let anyone inside without telling you the code word, even if they insist.
8
If nothing else, just ignore it.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.} Whether you are too busy or for some other reason unavailable to answer the door, just ignore it. Whoever is there will likely just go away and leave you alone.
- However, do not try to make it seem like nobody is home; burglars posing as salesman may take this as an opportunity to break in. Flick a light switch or make noise to establish the fact that you are present.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Should I answer the door if someone knocks?

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Saul Jaeger is a Police Officer and Captain of the Mountain View, California Police Department (MVPD). Saul has over 17 years of experience as a patrol officer, field training officer, traffic officer, detective, hostage negotiator, and as the traffic unit’s sergeant and Public Information Officer for the MVPD. At the MVPD, in addition to commanding the Field Operations Division, Saul has also led the Communications Center (dispatch) and the Crisis Negotiation Team. He earned an MS in Emergency Services Management from the California State University, Long Beach in 2008 and a BS in Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix in 2006. He also earned a Corporate Innovation LEAD Certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2018.

Saul Jaeger, MS

Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If somebody knocks on your door, you don't have to open the door. You can just tell somebody, “I'm not interested, thank you." Some people feel like they need to open the door and engage, but you can always just say no.

Warnings

Be careful of people selling you things, especially if they are food products. Make sure the person selling them is trustworthy before buying them, because they could be looking to fool or scam you.

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Don't tell anyone at the door you are home alone, especially if you are a woman or child. Many burglars perceive women and children to be weaker and more vulnerable than men, making them easier targets (even if they're not). Think about it; they don't know if the woman is a weightlifter and the man is a scaredy cat. Psychologically, people associate men with more strength, so mentioning that there is a man in the house could deter them. Saying "My parents are busy right now." or "My dad is on the phone right now, could you come back later?" are good excuses to make them leave.

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You should be especially cautious of any visitors that come outside of prime business hours. Anyone that comes early in the morning or late at night is more likely to have bad intentions.

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Ignoring someone at the door could be more dangerous than opening it. Burglars often knock first to see if anyone is home, and if nobody answers they could try to break in. You should try to answer the door if you can. Just tell them that you're busy to establish the fact that you're home and make them go away.

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Be wary of people who have overheard your code word. Ask the person to whisper it in your ear, and don't blurt it out so others can hear.

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Don't fall for the undercover cop trick. Police won't usually come to your door without reason, especially undercover. Even if they are in uniform you have the right to ask them for verification before they ask questions or come inside.

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If someone, who isn't a police officer, breaks into your house, busts the door open, or tries to do either one of these, call the police right away. This is called breaking and entering, which is illegal.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.}

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