us Personal safety & immediate danger

What to do if…
someone is trying a key, door handle, or window while you are inside

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: 1 August 2026 Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Move away from the door or window being tried and get behind a locked interior door. Call 911, give your exact address first, and follow the call-taker’s instructions.

Do not do these things

Do not open the door or window to identify the person.
Do not move closer to look through glass, blinds, or a peephole if that could expose you.
Do not confront, threaten, or chase the person.
Do not reveal that you are alone or say where you are inside.
Do not leave through a route that may bring you closer to the person.
Do not delay calling 911 while contacting friends, a landlord, or building staff.
Do not assume it is safe merely because the sounds have stopped.

What to do now

Move quietly away from the door, handle, lock, or window being tried. Go to a room that locks, unless a clearly safe exit leads directly away from the person.
Bring anyone immediately nearby with you if doing so does not take you toward the entry point. Lock the interior door and stay away from windows and direct sightlines.
If you can do so quickly and quietly, place a solid object against the interior door. Keep your phone with you.
Call 911. State your full address and apartment, unit, room, or floor number first, then say that someone is currently trying to enter while you are inside.
Tell the call-taker which door or window is involved, what you hear or see, whether the person has entered, and whether you have seen a weapon or anyone is injured. Answer the call-taker’s questions and do not hang up until instructed.
If speaking could put you at risk, text 911 where text-to-911 is available. Begin with your exact location and a brief statement that someone is trying to enter; follow any reply from the 911 center. If the message is rejected or you receive a bounce-back saying text-to-911 is unavailable, make a voice call as soon as it is safe or ask someone else to call.
Silence other alerts and vibration without ending the 911 connection. Remain quiet and follow the call-taker’s directions.
If the person enters and a clearly safe route leads away from them, leave and go to a secure nearby location. Otherwise remain behind the locked or blocked door.
When responders reach you, follow their instructions and keep your hands empty and visible if you can.

What can wait

You do not need to determine who the person is, why they are there, or whether the attempt was deliberate. Checking recordings, inspecting damage, contacting a landlord or insurer, arranging repairs, posting online, and making a detailed non-emergency report can wait until responders say the immediate area is safe.

Important reassurance

You do not need proof of a break-in before calling 911 about someone currently trying to enter. The person may be at the wrong property, but keeping your distance and asking emergency services to assess the situation is a reasonable immediate response.

Scope note

This guide covers only the first actions during an apparent attempt to enter while you are inside. Later decisions about reports, repairs, temporary accommodation, victim support, or legal options may require help from local police or another appropriate specialist.

Important note

This is general personal-safety information, not legal, law-enforcement, or other professional advice. Emergency procedures and text-to-911 availability vary by location, so follow instructions from the 911 call-taker and responding officers.

Additional Resources

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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