PanicStation.org
UK USA
us Personal safety & immediate danger someone outside my house • person outside refusing to leave • unwanted visitor at my door • stranger outside home • someone knocking repeatedly • doorbell ringing nonstop • someone banging on the door • person trying to get inside • feels unsafe at home alone • alone in the house at night • suspicious person outside property • doorstep confrontation fear • someone won’t leave the doorstep • possible break in attempt • harassment outside my home • can’t safely open the door • need urgent help at home • worried they will force entry • person loitering outside home • threatened while inside home

What to do if…
someone is outside your home refusing to leave and you are inside alone

Short answer

Stay inside with doors/windows locked and call 911 if you feel unsafe, threatened, or think the person may try to enter. Keep the door closed and let the call-taker guide you.

Do not do these things

  • Do not open the door “just to see what they want” or to tell them to leave.
  • Do not go outside to confront, record close-up, or “prove” anything.
  • Do not argue or negotiate through an open door/window.
  • Do not threaten them or announce what you have in your home.
  • Do not hang up on 911 unless the call-taker tells you it’s okay.
  • Do not get distracted posting/streaming—prioritize getting help and staying behind a barrier.

What to do now

  1. Create a safer pause inside. Lock the front/back doors, lock accessible windows, and move away from direct sightlines from outside (while still able to observe via peephole/camera/window without being seen).
  2. Call 911 if you feel unsafe or it could escalate. Tell the call-taker: your address first, that you are inside alone, where the person is (porch/driveway/back door), and what they’re doing (refusing to leave, shouting, trying the door, looking into windows).
  3. Call if you can; text only if you can’t. If it isn’t safe to speak, you can try texting 911 only where it’s supported. If your area can’t receive texts to 911, you should get a bounce-back message telling you it wasn’t delivered—switch to a voice call as soon as you safely can.
  4. Give a description without exposing yourself. From a safe spot, note clothing, approximate height/build, any vehicle description/plate if visible, and whether you can see a weapon. Use a doorbell camera if you have one—do not open the door to “get a better look.”
  5. Keep the barrier: the closed, locked door. If you choose to speak, do it briefly through a closed door or intercom: “I’m not opening the door. You need to leave. I’ve called 911.” Then stop responding.
  6. Make your environment more secure. Turn on porch/outside lights. Bring your phone, charger/power bank if nearby, keys, and any essential medication into one room.
  7. Choose a safer room and stay put. Pick a room that locks and, if possible, has a second exit. Stay out of sight. Follow any instructions the call-taker gives you.
  8. Bring in support without creating more risk. Call a trusted neighbor/friend/family member and keep them on the line. If you live in an apartment/condo, you can also contact building security/management—after you’ve contacted 911 if you feel in danger.
  9. If they try to force entry, treat it as an immediate emergency. Move to your safer room, lock it, put solid furniture between you and the entry, and stay connected to 911.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now whether you want to file a longer report—focus on safety first.
  • You do not need to identify the person with certainty before calling—describe what you can.
  • If the person leaves and you’re safe, you can look up and use your local police non-emergency number to make a report (rather than calling 911).
  • You can deal with follow-up security upgrades after the situation is stable.

Important reassurance

It’s normal to feel shaky, frozen, or unsure whether this “counts.” If someone is outside your home refusing to leave and you’re alone and frightened, staying behind a locked barrier and calling for help is a reasonable, protective response.

Scope note

This guide covers first steps for the next minutes to hour. Afterward, you may want local follow-up depending on who the person was and what occurred.

Important note

This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you believe you are in immediate danger, prioritize emergency services and follow the call-taker’s instructions.

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