| When someone knocks on your door at any | | | | YOU TO OPEN THE DOOR PRIOR TO YOU |
| time, it should at least invoke some sense of | | | | CONFIRMING THEIR IDENTITY! |
| awareness. The persons identity must be | | | | They should not mind. They may not be over the |
| identified before opening the door. That doesn't | | | | moon (they will have to wait), but they should not |
| matter whether it is night or day, as an increasing | | | | try to pressure you to NOT call to verify. |
| number of home burglaries and robberies happen | | | | If you don't have one, should you get a peep |
| by day. | | | | hole? A quick answer is YES, however I want to |
| Confirming a persons identity can be done in just | | | | highlight one thing that should be taken into |
| one or two simple steps: | | | | consideration. |
| Look through your peep hole and identify the | | | | Don't fall for what you see through the peep hole. |
| visitor, and/or ask through the door 'Who is it?' | | | | If someone is dressed up like a gas man and |
| This is very easy, simple and quick. Do not open | | | | looks like a gas man, you are more likely to |
| the door unless you have absolutely identified the | | | | accept that they are who they look like without |
| visitor as legitimate. | | | | verifying first. Be careful of this. Still verify first. |
| If this is a friend, it is very quick. It will literally | | | | That is the main benefit of not having a peep |
| take seconds. If it is not a friend, take your time | | | | hole. You cannot be influenced by what the |
| to establish the reasons for the visit. If you are | | | | person is wearing. Now I am not saying that all |
| not interested in their presence, tell them so. | | | | utilities personnel and police are actually serial killers |
| They should leave straight away. If they are | | | | in disguise but I am saying be pragmatic about it. |
| pushy, this should raise alarm bells. Do not let | | | | It is not often that these people come to your |
| them talk you into opening that door if you are | | | | home. So when they do, take the time to verify |
| uncomfortable doing so. | | | | their identity first. A peep hole can be a good aid, |
| If they are legitimate gas or electrical personnel or | | | | and are convenient for when friends have arrived |
| police they will be understanding. If they are from | | | | as it saves having to ask. |
| your gas or electric company, tell them you are | | | | Children |
| just going to give the company a quick call to | | | | Teach your child or children what to do if |
| confirm. They should not mind this. | | | | someone knocks on the door. If someone knocks |
| DO NOT USE A NUMBER TO CALL THAT THEY | | | | who is not family or friend, they should not open |
| PROVIDE! | | | | it. Instead, they simply go and get a parent or |
| Get the number from your last bill. Call them and | | | | adult. A child should not be expected to be able to |
| confirm they have staff on site before allowing | | | | discern a genuine visitor to a fake. Until they get |
| entry. | | | | an adult, they should not open the door in any |
| Likewise, for police, ask them what station they | | | | circumstances. |
| are from and call the station using something like | | | | Conclusion |
| a phone directory or from the internet. They will | | | | The main point is to NOT open the door at all, |
| not mind. In fact, I am sure they will be slightly | | | | until the identity of the person calling has been |
| impressed that a citizen is practicing safe security | | | | identified. Make sure that the children of the home |
| procedures, becoming a harder target and helping | | | | are taught something so they know what to do if |
| in the fight against crime. They may be | | | | someone knocks on the door when they are |
| inconvenienced slightly but they will not mind. | | | | closest to it. |
| To emphasize the main point, | | | | Next time someone knocks on your door, it is |
| BE VERY HESITANT IF UTILITY OR POLICE | | | | hoped you will consider these basic security |
| PERSONNEL BEGIN APPLYING PRESSURE FOR | | | | procedures. |