Personal Safety at Home: Visitors at the Door

This for me, is an important issue especially as a female living alone. I think it far better that i know who is on the other side of the door before i answer and also sometimes i dont get to the door quick enough before the person leaves.

The ideal would be that i can see who the visitor is,be able to talk to them through an intercom system and then have an option to allow the person to open the door to come inside.
Of course i would only allow a visitor in my home who i was expecting and trust. Family members, friends, physio, continence nurse etc.
At the moment i am aware that i feel very unsafe relying on opening the door to my home to know who is visiting.I am then i am putting myself in a vulnerable situation.
Its too easy for some one to push their way past me and would no doubt unbalance me.
For someone on a chair, its the same...obviously the balance isnt the same issue (possibly could be though) but naturally the individual will become very vulnerable.

So how do we deal with this?
There are so many products available on the internet that can be purchased and then fitted. They range from a basic two way conversation, intercom between the visitor at your door and yourself to a high tech video system with remote opening door access.All of which vary greatly in price.

Here are some sample from a selection of products that allow communication without needing to open your door at all.


2 way intercom for 1 Apartment.
Cable extend to max. 30m
Surface mounting brackets.
Indoor unit with push button for door opener
Adjustable bell volume.
Remote Door lock function. 



2 way intercom for 1 Apartment.
Metal build-in outdoor unit.
Surface mounting bracket.
Lighted push button with name plate.
Support up to 2 indoor units.
Adjustable bell volume.
Remote Door lock function.


The remote entry control system can be used to welcome and filter visitors, listen in to background sounds at entrances and operate up to 16 automatic systems from the home

Up to 4 electrical latches or locks (pedestrian gate access),
Up to 4 automatic gates (car access)
Up to 4 automatic garage doors
Up to 4 lighting receivers

The wireless remote entry control system can be used to check entrances (open or closed) and lighting (on or off) via the handset screen, and to communicate with another handset.

A pedestrian gate and/or driveway gate can be opened from the street by entering an access code or holding up the badge to the caller unit with keypad.
Up to 16 badges can be managed by the outdoor caller unit.
Users can identify visitors without having to move using the mobile handset.
Users can move around their home wearing the portable handset fitted to a belt clip.
Lithium-powered controller and handset unit

So these are just to show you some idea of what is available. Ideally get to know and understand what products are available and what would suit your needs specifically. Look at product comparisons and prices. Then you need to consider how to get your system fitted. Do you have a family member of friend who is good at thins kind of work...maybe the company who sells the product offers a service...if not you may need to look at what services are available to you.

It may also be worth looking at the possibility of getting a grant, some governments offer this or maybe a charity will do. Explore all your options with this..maybe your regional Spinal Injury Association can guide you.