Do you automatically open the front door yo a knock or bell ring?

I usually just open the front lounge window to speak to who ever it is. I have dogs do it can be a hassle trying to stop tyrn running out. Parcels and post can be handed to me that way and I can talk behind the safety of a brick wall with some height. It’s become a habit.

There are porch windows either side of the front door, so I can see who is there without opening the door. This is very handy.

Never

I check through the window next to my front door to see who it is . Or if I’m upstairs I open my bedroom window and if it’s someone I don’t know , I tell them I’ve just got out of the shower .

I check through the front window to see who it it before opening the door. You don't need to feel in the wrong for doing the safety checks first.

Yes Stoker48, I’m exactly the same. Just moved from London to Suffolk so I’m expecting I will be slightly more relaxed! 🌷🌷

No, I don't automatically open, I always check.
I used to be married to a police officer so I do the sensible thing.

I also keep doors locked during the day, dating back to one bathtime with the children years ago when my husband suddenly loomed in the bathroom doorway and said "I could have been anyone. You didn't hear me. Keep the door locked."

I always look out of the window if someone's at the door, and once it gets dark, I go upstairs and call out from an upstairs window.

Thanks to everyone that replied.
Interesting to read your takes on it.

We can see and hear through our front door. If it's someone I know ok or if they are waving a parcel ok. Otherwise I ask them what they want before opening or not.

Never, I keep my front and back door locked, I have a security camera overlooking the front gate and one overlooking the back gate, any movement beeps on my mobile phone, I have a no sellers etc note on my gate too. Should anyone feel brave enough to ignore my sign I also have a 40 kilo dog with a very loud bark, who would if anyone strange attempted enter the house lick them to death.

We have a non-video spy-hole in our front door which I use. I've just put a sticker outside which I got free from the council. It is like the ones they have here: www.surreycc.gov.uk/business/trading-standards/consumer-advice/rogue-traders-scams-and-cold-callers/door-step/sticker-scheme

Unless my neighbour wants something or I have a delivery it is unlikely I'd have a knock at the door that wasn't some sort of cold-call, so I'm cautious about answering it.

If it was someone in a high viz jacket I'd look out the window to see if there's a water, electric, gas or similar van on the street. Sadly this is common as we seem to have one service or another cut-off quite frequently.

Once there were roadworkers who needed to block the drive for a while and wanted to know if I'd like to move the car off the drive first.

We used to have a system of calling others in the village if there was a cold caller but it isn't as neighbourly now.

We get cold-callers in the nicer weather (hence my new council sticker). They are transported into areas with all sorts of sob-stories.

It's awful to hear some people have had their homes broken into after not answering the door. Perhaps, the calling as suggested by 25Avalon is a good idea.

If I don't see someone leave the drive after knocking I go and look out the back to make sure they've gone.

Your caution seems like a good idea to me.

Have a video door bell and a spy hole in the door so can generally see who is at the door. I do though open the door to unexpected callers.

An old lady told me of a little trick of hers should the doorbell ring unexpectedly.
She told me to put my coat on, then if it's someone you want to see you've, just got back but if it's someone who is unwelcome, then you are just on your way out.
It works a treat for me & no-one gets hurt or upset 😉

No

.

Sazzl .......

So good of you to pinpoint Bristol at the start of your comment. Probably the safest of the Top10 British cities (by size).
Lived and worked here all my life and never witnessed a crime or been the recipient of one. Nor know of anyone who has.
.

I would normally answer the door without thinking, in the daytime.
However, unless I was expecting a call, I would not answer at night, without knowing who it was.

I have two front doors both with glass frames so it is easier to decipher who is ringing the bell. If someone does ring the bell who I am not sure about I open the door with the chain on first

I always keep my doors locked, for me it's just common sense to do that.
I have a peep hole in my front door and part of the glass is transparent so I can see who is there....my next 'line of defence' is my very large German Shepherd, after losing my much loved dogs I wasn't going to get another but she needed a home and I had space in my heart. I think it's her size as she's also a visual deterrent!

I dont sleep well and was up at 4am watching TV. Someone knocked the door and I was terrified. I certainly didn't go near the door. The next morning we realised our car lights were on. Someone had been passing by and knocked to tell us!

I live in a first floor flat and my living room window, from where I sit as I type this, directly overlooks my front door so I can easily look out of my wondow and see who's at the door.

I have a doorbell installed but it doesn't work, and delivery people don't seem to have the sense to knock on the door if they don't hear a doorbell ringing.

We have CCTV so can see and hear people approach. I'll answer if I know who they are - but generally open in the daytime to most knocks. We don't get uninvited callers as a rule as we have the Police No Uninvited Callers sticker on the door that is a great deterrent.

No. Likewise I don't answer the phone to an unexpected caller or an unknown number

Yes, always answer the front door, also my kitchen door which has a big window so I can already see who’s there.

If it’s cold callers for instance I quickly get rid of them.

Don’t really get anyone calling except deliveries etc.

We lived in a small village for 30 years and I never locked the door but as soon as we moved into the small town I kept it, and the side gate locked. Having said that I open the door without checking, so totally illogical! If DH wasn’t here I think I’d get a ring doorbell.

When I lived in Bristol a woman answered the door to a knock around teatime. She thought it was family who often call in around that time. 3 men barged in, one pinned her behind the door with a knife up to her throat while the other 2 robbed the house. Thankfully she wasn't hurt just badly shaken by the experience
We have a ring doorbell here and a camera on the back door.
Go careful who you answer the door to, and keep it locked even when in the front gardening. My late MIL had someone walk up her front path while she was tending the garden. She thought he was just delivering leaflets. He walked in the ajar front door and left with her handbag
It was found in a local allotment minus her purse and rings she had in it.