Late at night, when most people are sound asleep in their beds, there will be some out and about. Some are night workers or those craving a midnight snack. Others could be lost or in distress.
Others still could be taking advantage of the sleeping populace to commit crimes in the shadows. If you hear a knock on your door, it could be completely innocent or possibly a criminal trying to gain entry into your house.
How you react can make the difference between thwarting a crime, becoming tonight’s victim, or helping someone in genuine need. Here is what to do when someone knocks on your door late at night.
Prepare and Assess
You don’t want to be dealing with a late night situation with your pants off. Dress yourself in at least a shirt, pants, and shoes. Do this quickly and quietly without alerting them to your presence, and do not neglect to put on shoes in case you have to go outside or step on broken glass.
Criminals will often knock on doors to see if anyone is home so they can assess the risks of breaking in. They may also be hoping someone will answer by opening the door so they can gain entry without having to break anything. By remaining quiet, you retain the element of surprise.
Check your security camera if you have one to see if you recognize the person and to visually assess them. Without cameras, you will have to look through the peep hole or through a window. Do this without being noticed. Look at how they are dressed, if they keep looking back over their shoulder, their demeanor and condition, and try to see any vehicles they may have arrived in.
Related: How to Deal With Neighbors and Friends That Come Begging for Food at Your Door in a Crisis
When approaching the door, make sure you have some sort of defense for yourself, whether it be pepper spray, a hammer, a knife, a firearm, or anything else. The more lethal, the better, as you may not have more than a split second to react, and you do not want to bring a hammer to a gun fight.
That said, anything is better than nothing and not all situations will constitute the legal use of a firearm. Also bring your cell phone and a flashlight if possible.
If the person seems threatening, call the police immediately and remain indoors.
For those serious about fortifying their homes against unexpected intrusions or crises, the Special Forces Home Defense Academy offers tested strategies from one of the world’s toughest professions. Whether it’s setting up effective defenses or handling intruders, this guide provides a blueprint for staying secure indoors when the outside world turns unpredictable.
Make Contact
If you cannot determine the intent of the person through visual inspection, communicate with them through the door, or preferably through a Ring camera or similar device. Turn on the porch light and, in a confident and commanding voice, ask them who they are and what they want.
If you have family members in the house, especially teenagers, it is very possible it could be one of their common courtesy deficient friends or acquaintances. Verify with that family member before opening the door.
If the person says they are from a delivery company, utility service, law enforcement, or any other organization, ask their name and purpose.
Call the official number of the organization to verify the visit. If they give a non-emergency reason for knocking, tell them to come back tomorrow during the day.
Do not be duped by emergencies. Urgency can overwhelm one’s sense of caution and cause you to act hastily.
Deceptive excuses include medical emergencies, car troubles, utility problems, delivery mistakes, lost pets or children, help for a neighbor, law enforcement impersonation and many others.
Utility companies and first responders often do knock on doors late at night for real emergencies, and they also have emergency numbers to call. Do not hesitate to call 911 or other emergency numbers to verify their identity. Afterall, you do need to know immediately.
Keep the Door Closed Unless it Is Safe to Open
Unless you can absolutely verify the identity and purpose of the visitor and have determined they are safe enough, keep the door closed. It is the only physical barrier between you and them.
Once the door opens, even if it is on a chain, you may need to defend yourself physically. You may be able to close the door again if you feel the need, but once opened, you are likely to become more committed to the situation.
Listen to Your Instincts
Gut feelings are real and should be taken seriously. If you feel threatened at all or the situation seems fishy, keep the door closed and call the authorities. If the person does in fact have car troubles, a lost pet, or a missing child, they could benefit from law enforcement coming to help and they should not rely on strangers. Help them and yourself by calling the police.
Similarly, someone with visible wounds, hypothermia on a cold and rainy night, children, or others with visible distress may need immediate help. Not everyone is a criminal, and some people genuinely need help late at night, especially if you live in a rural area. Use your best judgment and do not be afraid to help someone in genuine need.
It is not always them who need help either. There could be a brush fire coming towards your house, a burst pipe gushing water, your dog got out, or something else you would want to react to. It is safer to maintain a security posture, but you may actually need to open the door to resolve the situation.
Until you have assessed the situation and the person, ensure you have security in mind by being dressed and having the necessary tools to deal with the person. Verify their story as much as possible without opening the door, and keep in mind that you can be the difference that prevents a small emergency from growing into a great one.
Late-night knocks can be unsettling, but preparation is your best defense. This guide helped me create a fortress-like home defense that can withstand crises of any magnitude. Unlike general advice, it brings you strategies designed to give you the upper hand during unexpected encounters.
From detailed layouts for securing entry points to psychological tactics that can deter intruders, this handbook equips you to stay calm, prepared, and protected in high-stakes scenarios. It’s not just about safety—it’s about maintaining control when every second counts.
Have you ever had someone knock on the door late at night? Let us know how you reacted and what happened!
You may also like:
Antibiotic Herbs and Plants to Grow Before SHTF
How to Make Your House Invisible to Looters (Video)
8 EMP-Themed Movies You Should Watch
FEMA Is Here: The Only Rights You Still Have
10 Items That Vanished When the Great Depression Hit
Read the full article here
