A TikTok video by a police officer offers guidance on opening the door that challenges what many of us typically believe we should do.
Being part of Gen Z, I’ve largely moved away from the practice of knocking on doors or ringing doorbells. Why bother when a quick text can announce my arrival?
Opening my door to an unexpected visitor fills me with unease. However, a police officer has shared why being more attentive to door knockers, especially during the holiday season, might be crucial—remember the lessons from Home Alone.
Officer Arsenault uploaded a video on TikTok last week, with a caption stating: “WARNING! Extremely important message. #onthisday.”
In the video, he advises: “If someone comes to your home during the day and knocks or rings the bell and you don’t answer—don’t do that, okay?
“They might kick your door in two minutes later in a daytime break and enter.”
While this may not always be the situation—depending on the presence of any Harry and Marv-like characters in your vicinity—there are ways to handle it if you’re uneasy about someone outside, as Officer Arsenault explains.
“You can yell through the door, wave them off through a window, or pretend you’re on your cellphone,” he suggests.
He continues: “If they break in, they might panic, expecting an empty house. Be cautious.”
Reactions poured in quickly from viewers of the post.
https://www.tiktok.com/@username/video/7442104712242957624
Several people confessed to usually doing the opposite of what the officer recommends.
One user commented: “I generally don’t answer because of anxiety … now I worry that if I don’t, someone might break in … thanks.”
Another remarked: “This is an introvert’s nightmare. Being forced to interact with people unexpectedly.”
A third admitted: “I typically hide when the doorbell rings.”
Another questioned: “How often does this happen? That we need to act busy when someone knocks during the day?”
One final suggestion was: “Maybe consider getting a doorbell camera system?”