Scare last night

[Jago668]

As someone else mentioned in passing. Get one of those long anti-kick plates for the door frame. Then put in 3" screws. Then put the 3" screws in the door hinges as well. If someone is determined no matter what to get in they can. However even without the long plate, just the 3" screws in the normal plates will make it take a little more time for them. Every second you can delay them is more time to be prepared for them. On a plus side the screws work even for renters, since there is no visible difference to the door. So no worries about security deposits.

[VMI77]

Don't open the door with a chain to anyone you'd have the chain on the door for. Don't use a peephole either. Put up a camera with an intercom feature and stay away from the door until you're absolutely sure it is safe to open.

[VMI77]

Without incident. He was looking for a different address. I believe it was before our area swiched to 911 addressing. We were a "rural route" , with a row of mail boxes 1/4 mile from our homes. Seems like something that could have waited 'till daylight. All the trouble in our neck of the woods for the last 20 years can be traced to one address. Guess what house he was looking for.

The mailboxes on our rural route are about 5 miles away.

[VMI77]

To the OP


Carrying
There are safe options for carrying in your situation:

Belly band
Kangaroo carry
Various fanny paks
Remora Holsters
etc

There are also options for keeping a guns safely nearby for example a quick assess safe such as a gun vault.

Answering the Door
Do NOT open the door. Many bad things can and have happened when people open the door. Google The Dartmouth Murders
Install a peephole (although a perp can block a peephole with his hand).
DO let them know someone is home there have been situations where people have not answered or verbally responded to a knock and the person then breaks in assuming no one is home.
A chain is worthless (as others have said)
Residential doors are easily kicked in. You can install long throw deadbolt locks on the doors but it is more secure to also install a reinforced strike plate that the deadbolt goes into.


Stay safe.

Say no to peepholes....peepholes are a very bad idea. As another posted, there are devices that allow someone to see through them. But even if that wasn't the case they're still a very bad idea. They give away your presence at the door making you vulnerable to being shot though the door or having it kicked into you. This is 2016. Camera/intercom systems are inexpensive and allow you to be in the best location for defense.