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us Personal safety & immediate danger

What to do if…
someone is trying multiple doors in your hotel or apartment corridor

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Stay inside, use the locks on your door, and move away from the entry. Call 911 if the situation appears to require immediate police assistance, including if someone is attempting to enter or the risk appears to be continuing.

Do not do these things

  • Do not open the door to confront the person or ask what they want.
  • Do not step into the corridor to investigate.
  • Do not announce that you are alone.
  • Do not rely on only one lock if the door has additional built-in locks.
  • Do not delay calling 911 if the situation appears to require immediate police assistance.

What to do now

  1. Lock the door and stay inside. Use the deadbolt and any built-in swing bar, chain, or additional interior lock. Keep noise low if that helps you avoid drawing attention, but make the calls you need to make.
  2. Move away from the entry. Take your phone with you. Ask anyone with you to move away from the doorway as well.
  3. Call 911 if immediate police assistance appears necessary. This may include someone attempting to enter, repeatedly trying your door, remaining nearby, or behaving in a way that makes you believe the risk is continuing. Give the hotel name or building address, your floor, and your room or unit number. Answer the call-taker’s questions and do not hang up unless instructed.
  4. Contact on-site help when safe.
    • Hotel: call the front desk or security and say that someone is trying multiple doors in the corridor. Give your floor and room number.
    • Apartment building: call the concierge, security desk, or building emergency contact if one is available.
  5. Use text-to-911 only when a voice call is not safe or possible. Text-to-911 is not available everywhere. Start with your exact location and say that someone is trying doors in the corridor. If you receive a message saying the text was not delivered, use another safe way to reach emergency help.
  6. Stay inside unless the room or unit becomes unsafe. Do not enter the corridor to check what is happening. If there is smoke, fire, another immediate hazard, or instructions from responders, act on that information.
  7. Share details without approaching the door. Tell staff or responders what you noticed, such as the time, the direction the person moved, whether they tried your door, and any description you already have.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide whether the person is confused, intoxicated, or trying to enter rooms deliberately.
  • You do not need to investigate the corridor yourself.
  • You do not need to make a detailed report or decide on a room move while the immediate concern is still active.

Important reassurance

You do not need to work out the person’s intent before taking protective steps. Staying inside, locking the door, and asking for help are reasonable responses.

Scope note

These are first steps only. Later decisions, such as making a report, requesting a different hotel room, or discussing building security, can wait and may need help from building management, law enforcement, or another appropriate specialist.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, or professional advice. If you believe there is an immediate threat to safety, call 911 and follow the call-taker’s instructions.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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