Many people we speak with feel safest to not answer the door when a stranger comes knocking -- especially when home alone. This is repeated so often you might think it is conventional wisdom. However, it may be the most unsafe thing to do.

Many burglaries follow a similar pattern. Someone comes to the door and knocks. If the resident answers the burglar has a cover story: selling something, asking for donations, "my agent told me this house is on the market and I wanted to take a look", etc. If no one answers they may try the door to see if it is open. Or they may come back later to burglarize the house.

Having a security alarm system is important to alert the residents to an invasion. But the operation may be shut down if the resident makes it clear they are home. But better then coming to the door is the use of video intercom systems. Video intercom systems can deter crime by:

1. Allowing you to answer the door, demonstrating the home is occupied, from a safe distance
2. Asking the guest to leave without giving them any idea of who and how many people are in the home
3. Demonstrating that the residents value security and have invested in systems to foil break-ins
4. Capturing a photo of people coming to the front door when you are home or not