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us Personal safety & immediate danger

What to do if…
someone says they are coming to your location or may already be outside and you feel unsafe

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

Short answer

Get to the safest nearby position you can reach without approaching the person, secure the space if possible, and call 911 if you fear immediate harm or need immediate police assistance. Give the dispatcher your exact location first.

Do not do these things

  • Do not go outside, approach a window, or open the door to check whether the person is there.
  • Do not confront, threaten, or try to reason with the person.
  • Do not leave a secure place solely to investigate the threat.
  • Do not ask a friend, neighbor, or staff member to confront the person.
  • Do not post your location or movements online.
  • Do not spend time collecting proof before contacting emergency help.
  • Do not delete threatening messages, voicemails, or call records if they can be kept safely.

What to do now

  1. Move to a safer position without going toward the person. If you are inside, lock accessible doors and windows without exposing yourself, then move away from doors and windows with your phone.
  2. Call 911 if you think the person may be present or approaching and you fear immediate harm or need immediate police assistance. State your address or exact location before describing what is happening.
  3. Tell the dispatcher what the person said, when they said it, whether you can see or hear anyone, and whether a weapon is known or suspected. Mention anyone else with you, including children or people who may need assistance.
  4. Answer the dispatcher’s questions, follow their instructions, and do not hang up until told to do so.
  5. If you are at a workplace, hotel, school, apartment building, store, or other staffed location, quietly alert security, reception, or management. Ask them not to admit or approach the person.
  6. If you are in a vehicle, do not drive to the location where the person expects to find you. Call 911 and follow the dispatcher’s directions about where to go.
  7. After contacting emergency services, tell one trusted person where you are and what is happening. Ask them to remain available but not to come to the scene.
  8. Keep threatening texts, voicemails, call records, or location-related messages if you can do so from your safe position without delaying safety steps.

What can wait

You do not need to decide whether the threat was serious, whether the person was bluffing, whether to confront them later, or whether to make major changes to your home or routine. Detailed documentation, account changes, non-emergency reports, legal options, and longer-term safety planning can wait until the immediate situation is stable.

Important reassurance

You do not need visual confirmation that the person is outside before taking reasonable precautions. Uncertainty does not require you to investigate, and calling 911 is appropriate when you believe immediate assistance may be needed.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps only. Later decisions may require help from a victim-services advocate, stalking specialist, domestic violence service, attorney, building security team, or local law-enforcement agency.

Important note

This is general personal-safety information, not legal, security, or other professional advice, and it is not a substitute for emergency services. Follow instructions from 911 dispatchers and responding emergency personnel.

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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