Kids Safety at Home
What to do when someone arrives at the door and you are not sure who they are — or you are home alone. Calm, clear and not scary.
The old idea of "stranger danger" is not very useful. Most strangers are perfectly safe — they are just people you haven't met. What matters is knowing how to handle unexpected situations calmly: someone at the door you weren't expecting, someone who makes you feel uncomfortable, or someone who asks you to do something that doesn't feel right. This page gives you the tools to handle those moments without fear.
If someone knocks or rings the bell and you were not told they were coming, it is completely acceptable — and safe — to not open the door. Most people who come to the door are delivery drivers, tradespeople or neighbours. None of them require you to open the door to do their job. A delivery can be left. A tradesperson can come back. A genuine emergency can be handled through a closed door or by calling 000.
Take a breath. You don't have to answer immediately. If your home has a video doorbell or intercom, check it from a distance before going to the door at all.
Use a peephole, intercom, window, or video doorbell. Try to see who is there without them seeing you first. Never open a door you can't see through.
You can talk through a closed and locked door. "Who is it?" is a reasonable thing to say. You do not have to say you are home alone.
If you're home alone, say: "My parents can't come to the door right now." This is not a lie — it's a safe way to protect yourself without saying you're alone.
It is never rude to not open a door. If you feel uncertain about any reason, keep the door closed and call your trusted adult.
Safety researchers have moved away from "stranger danger" because it can make children afraid of all people they don't know — which is not helpful. Instead, think about tricky people: adults who ask children to do things that feel wrong, break family rules, or ask for help in ways that don't make sense.
Some strangers are specifically safe to approach if you need help. These are people whose job involves helping the public:
In uniform or with a badge. If someone claiming to be police comes to your door, you can ask to see ID through a closed door.
If you are out and feel unsafe, go into any shop and tell a staff member you need help.
In uniform responding to an emergency. Never hide from firefighters — they are there to help you.
In uniform with an ambulance. Call 000 if someone needs urgent medical help.
These scenarios let you practise what to say and do. Think about your answer before you reveal it.
Someone rings the bell and says they have a parcel. You weren't expecting anyone.
Someone you don't recognise says your mum or dad sent them to pick you up.
Your neighbour knocks and asks if everything is okay — they heard a noise.
You've said the person can't come in but they keep knocking and asking.
Every family's rules are slightly different. Discuss these questions with a parent or carer and write down your answers:
People I can open the door to: _______________________________________________
People I should NOT open the door to: _________________________________________
Our family safe word: _______________________________________________________
If I'm unsure, I will call: _____________________________________________________
If I feel unsafe, I will: ________________________________________________________
Finished reading? Mark this topic as complete to track your progress.