Realtor Safety Suggestions
A Realtor has a job which is very difficult from a security perspective. Imagine inviting a stranger(s) to an unfamiliar house potentially in a remote area when it is just yourself. Few of us would be comfortable with this in any way, yet realtors do it all the time. Predators recognize this and have targeted realtors for attack. Here are just a few things that a Relator may want to consider to remain safe.
Entering a room or closed space. It is always a good idea to be the last one in and the first one out when entering a room or closed space. The idea here is to never allow the customer between you and an exit.
Familiarize yourself with the house. If possible, it is always wise to become familiar with the house you are showing beforehand. If you are attacked, it would be preferred to understand how to get out of the house as quickly as possible. Knowing where exits are and where they lead can save precious seconds.
Parking of your Car. Always park your vehicle in a location so that you cannot be blocked in. For example, do not park in a driveway if someone can park behind you and prevent you from leaving.
Carry your purse. There may be a desire, especially during an open house of setting your purse down or putting it somewhere safe. There are several concerns that you should attempt to mitigate with this. Those concerns are:
a) Keys – Typically your car keys are in your purse. If you must escape, you won’t have keys to your car. (Consider a car with a keypad lock so you can get in without a key at least). They also include your keys to your house and your wallet has a driver’s license with your address on it. This gives them the keys to your castle.
b) Personal protection device – Typically realtors, especially women, wear a little more form flattering clothes and do not carry a protection device (gun, pepper spray, etc) on their body. They will leave it in their purse. The purse should never leave your control, especially with a firearm in it, but even with other self-defense tools, leaving them in a purse in another room doesn’t help you if you are attacked.
c) Phone – Women especially do not carry cell phones on their hips like some guys and many of their clothes don’t have pockets in them. If it is left in a purse, then you can’t call for help, and it won’t do well for tracking you if you are kidnapped. You should always have a trusted person tack your phone.
Tactical Pens – Something you can always carry with you which will never look out of place is a self-defense pen. They make very simple, classical looking pens that are strong enough to be used for self-defense. It is something that you can always carry and not look out of place and is practical as well. Watch Jason Born when he takes out the bad guy with a Bic pen.
Pepper Spray – While it may not be easy to carry pepper spray on your body it might be on a key chain and not raise fear in your sutlers. Pepper spray is a great tool. I recommend sticking with either Saber Red or POM (Piece Of Mind). You want a pepper spray that also has an ultraviolet dye in it. This won’t wash off right away and will give police the ability to make connections if they find the suspect. Consider a gel to get farther distance and in slightly windy conditions. Take a class on how to use this and buy either an inert version or a spare to see how it really works. Learn ahead of time how the mechanics of the trigger works but also how far it shoots etc. Be sure to take proper precautions if using the real thing.
Come learn more about these suggestions and more at a Sampson Consulting Relator Safety Class. Contact us for a class today!