Do NOT open your door (even a few inches)
I am seriously fed up with sites that advise people to “only open your door a few inches” if a stranger knocks on your door. Or they suggest using a chain lock.
AAAARRRRGH! The second that door opens, bad guys can bust through. And they will.
Just a few examples of this horrible advice
👎NEVER: Open the door without first looking with the chain lock on
👎Set the door chain. Be sure that your door chain is set well with LONG screws into the door frame to help resist a “push in.” Crack open the door to speak to the person through the gap. — Even door chains with long screws can be kicked open.
👎Or, if you feel comfortable opening the door with your chain lock in place then this is an option.
👎Install a peephole or a chain lock, so you can check to see who’s on the other side before opening.
I seriously want to find the people who are saying “go ahead and open your door to strangers… but only a few inches” and slap them silly! I won’t. But I want to.
And this one really burns my biscuits! From an article titled “6 Tips for Teaching Your Children to Safely Answer the Door” that I found on a home security system site:
In some cases, however, it may be entirely safe and appropriate for your child to open the door, such as if there’s a police officer at your home.
If your child decides to answer it, one of the best safety tips for children at home is to not open the door wider than the width of their head. And if you have a chain lock on your door, it’s best to leave the lock in place until your child knows it is safe to fully open the door.
They actually say it’s OK for a child to open the door no “wider than the width of your head.” Seriously?! Seriously?! Worst advice ever.
Look at what happened in Maine earlier this year… 6-year-old girl attacked after answering door to stranger
NEVER tell kids to open the door to strangers. EVEN the POLICE. We all know that bad guys like to play dress up.
Do not open your door to strangers! No Stranger gets in your house. Ever. Period. End of.
~Shereen
Join Personal Defense Connection on Tumblr
