Tip #1
Keep it light
Show properties before dark. If you are going to be working after hours, advise your associate or first-line supervisor of your schedule. If you must show a property after dark, turn on all lights as you go through, and don't lower any shades or draw curtains or blinds.

Tip #2
Checking in
When you have a new client, ask him/her to stop by your office and complete a Prospect Identification Form (Find a copy online at www.REALTOR.org/Safety). Also, photocopy their driver's license and retain this information at your office. Be certain to properly discard this personal information when you no longer need it.

Tip #3
Don't be too public
Limit the amount of personal information you share. Consider advertising without using your photograph, home phone number and/or home address in the newspaper or on business cards. Don't use your full name with middle name or initial. Use your office address--or list no address at all. Giving out too much of the wrong information can make you a target.

Tip #4
Touch base
Always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back; leave the name and phone number of the client you are meeting and schedule a time for your office to call you to check in.

Tip #5
Open house: it ain't over till it's over
Don't assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking the doors. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.

Tip #6
Stranger danger
Tell your clients not to show their home by themselves. Alert them that not all agents, buyers and sellers are who they say they are. Predators come in all shapes and sizes. We tell our children not to talk to strangers. Tell your sellers not to talk to other agents or buyers, and to refer all inquiries to you.

Tip #7
Sturdy doors are key to home safety
Make sure that all your home's doors to the outside are metal or solid, 1 3/4" hardwood and have good, sturdy locks.

Tip #8
Block identity theft
Contact the fraud department of any of the three consumer reporting companies--Equifax, ExperianSM and Trans Union--to place a fraud alert on your credit report. The fraud alert automatically lets credit card companies and other creditors know they must contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts.

Tip #9
Keep track of colleagues
Have a check-out employee board at your office, listing your name, destination, customer name, date and expected return time.

Tip #10
Wear your REALTOR ID
Always wear visible company identification such as a badge. It is also best to drive a vehicle clearly marked with your company name. These will be invaluable for identification if you need to get assistance.

Tip #11
Bring up the rear
When showing a home, always have your prospect walk in front of you. Don't lead them, but rather, direct them from a position slightly behind them. You can gesture for them to go ahead of you and say, for example, "The master suite is in the back of the house."

Tip #12
Pick up some self-defense skills
The best way to find a good self-defense class is to learn what is available, and then make a decision. Many health clubs, martial arts studios and community colleges offer some type of class. You can also ask your peers, friends and family if they have taken a self-defense class that they would recommend.

Tip #13
You take the wheel
Whenever possible, take your own car to a showing. When you leave your car, lock it.

Tip #14
Shield your computer from e-mail viruses
Computer viruses can impair and seriously damage your computer. Viruses are often distributed via attachments in e-mail spam. Never open an attachment from someone you don't know, and, if you receive a strange or impersonal-sounding message from a familiar address, check with that person to make sure that they really sent it.

Tip #15
Got cell service, everywhere?
When you're showing commercial property, thick walls and/or remote locations may interfere with mobile phone reception. Check in advance to be sure your phone is serviceable in the area in which you are showing the property.

Tip #16
Choose flight over fight
While every real estate agent should take a basic self-defense course, the primary goal in any threatening situation is to escape from immediate danger and call for help.

Tip #17
"Who's calling?"
Install caller I.D. on your telephone, which should automatically reject calls from numbers that have been blocked. This will provide you with immediate information about the source of the call.

Tip #18
Watch your trash
Just bought a new entertainment system? A bunch of empty boxes out by the curb triggers an alarm to would-be thieves. Instead of putting boxes out in plain sight, cut them down, and stuff them in trash bags.

Tip #19
Hide personal information
Tell your sellers: DON'T leave personal information like mail or bills out in the open where anyone can see it. Be sure to lock down your computer and lock up your laptop and any other expensive, easy-to-pocket electronics, like iPods, before your showing.

Tip #20
Agree on an office distress code
Create a voice distress code, a secret word or phrase that is not commonly used but can be worked into any conversation for cases where you feel that you are in danger. Use this if the person you are with can overhear the conversation, but you don't want to alarm them. Example: "Hi, this is Jennifer. I'm with Mr. Henderson at the Elm Street listing. Could you e-mail me the RED FILE?"

Tip #21
Have your excuse ready
Part of being prepared to deal with a threatening situation is having "an out." Prepare a scenario in advance so that you can leave—or you can encourage someone who makes you uncomfortable to leave. Examples: Your cell phone or pager went off and you have to call your office, you left some important information in your car, or another agent with buyers is on his way.

Tip #22
Take 2 seconds when you arrive at your destination to check out potential dangers:
• Is there any questionable activity in the area?
• Are you parked in a well-lit, visible location?
• Can you be blocked in the driveway by another vehicle?

Tip #23
You are not alone
If you encounter an individual while working late or alone in your office, indicate to that person that you are not alone. Say something like, "Let me check with my supervisor to see whether she's able to see you now."

Tip #24
Your e-mail is public
Don't send any vital or private information via e-mail. Keep in mind that unlike Web sites, e-mail is never secure.

Tip #25
Don't get lost
If you are in an unfamiliar area, make mental notes of landmarks, points of interest and intersections. And always know the exact address of where you are going.

Tip #26
Careful with cash deposits!
If you periodically carry large deposits to the bank, be especially aware of any strangers lurking around the office parking lot. If you must transport cash deposits, use the buddy system or arrange for a security service or police escort.

Tip #27
Lock up client keys
Be sure to use the lockbox property-key procedure that has been established to improve real estate agent safety.

Tip #28
Shop online safely
When shopping online, check out a Web site before entering your credit card number or other personal information. Enter this information only on secure Web pages with addresses that start with "https" and have a closed padlock symbol at the bottom of the browser window. These are signs that your information will be encrypted or scrambled, protecting it from hackers.

Tip #29
Nothing personal…
When talking to clients and prospects, be friendly but still keep your personal information private. This means avoiding mention of where you live, your after-work or vacation plans, and similar details.

Tip #30
Take two seconds as you walk towards your destination to check out potential risks.
• Are people coming and going or is the area unusually quiet?
• Do you observe any obstacles or hiding places in the parking lot or along the street?
• Is anyone loitering in the area?

Tip #31
Be careful with keys
Don't hand out house keys to friends, even if they are trustworthy. Know the location of all your house keys all the time. Never use hide-a-keys or leave the key under the doormat, above the door, in a flowerpot, or anywhere outside the house. You may think you're being clever, but experienced thieves know all the tricks. Also, keep your car keys and house keys on a different ring if you ever use valet parking or leave your keys with parking lot attendants or even at a repair garage.

Tip #32
From dawn till dusk.
When showing a vacant commercial site, be aware of the time of day you meet a client. Showing a property at dusk or after dark, with no electricity on in the space you are showing, is not advisable.

Tip #33
Thwart thieves
Remind your clients that strangers will be walking through their home during showings or open houses. Tell them to hide any valuables in a safe place. For security's sake, remember to remove keys, credit cards, jewelry, crystal, furs and other valuables from the home or lock them away during showings. Also remove prescription drugs. Some seemingly honest people wouldn't mind getting their hands on a bottle of Viagra, uppers or downers.

Tip #34
Long-term thinking
If you think it may be some time before a property sells (and you may, therefore, be showing it often), get acquainted with a few of the immediate neighbors. You will feel better knowing they know your vehicle, and they will feel better about the stranger (you) who frequently visits their neighborhood.

Tip #35
Don't dial and drive!
Using a cell phone while driving can cause an accident. For driving safety, purchase a hands-free phone kit for your vehicle. And never attempt to take notes while driving – pull over and stop in a safe place first.

Tip #36
Carry less
If you carry a purse, lock it in your car trunk before arriving at an appointment. Carry only non-valuable business items (except for your cell phone), and do not wear expensive jewelry or watches, or appear to be carrying large sums of money.

Tip #37
Don't get parked in
When showing property or meeting someone, park your car in front of the property rather than in the driveway. You will avoid having your car blocked in, you'll have an easier time escaping in your vehicle, and you will attract lots of attention running and screaming to your car at the curb area.

Tip #38
Monitor your financial accounts
Open your credit card bills and bank statements right away. Check for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately. Call if bills don't arrive on time. It may mean that someone has changed contact information to hide fraudulent charges.

Tip #39
Take two seconds to pause and look around as you enter your destination.
• Does anything seem out of place?
• Is anyone present who shouldn't be there or who isn't expected?

Tip #40
Plan ahead with escape routes
Upon entering an open house property for the first time, check each room and determine at least two "escape" routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked for easy access to the outside.

Tip #41
Keep it professional
All of your marketing materials should be polished and professional. Don't use alluring or provocative photography in advertising, on the Web or on your business cards. There are many documented cases of criminals actually circling photographs of their would-be victims in newspaper advertisements.

Tip #42
Best practices for model home showings
When a person comes through the office to view a model home, have them complete a guest register that includes their full name, address, phone number, e-mail, and vehicle information.

Tip #43
Safe apartment living
Moving into an apartment? Have the locks changed when you move in. (The maintenance crew can simply swap lock cylinders with a random vacant apartment, a project that is free and takes only a few minutes.) And just use your last name, or if necessary last name and first initial, on your door or mailbox. This keeps strangers from knowing your gender or how many people live in your apartment.

Tip #44
Rely on good neighbors
Inform a neighbor that you will be hosting an open house, and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.

Tip #45
Be prepared: pre-program!
To best prepare for an emergency, pre-program important numbers into your cell phone. These may include your office, your roadside assistance service or garage, and 9-1-1.

Tip #46
Beware of "phishers"
Don't respond to e-mails requesting personal or private information such as passwords, credit card numbers or bank account numbers. Even if a message appears to be from your bank or a trusted vendor, credible companies never request private information this way.

Tip #47
Scam alert!
At an open house, be alert to visitors' comings and goings, especially near the end of showing hours. Police have reported groups of criminals that target open houses, showing up en masse near the end of the afternoon. While several "clients" distract the agent, others go through the house and steal anything they can quickly take.

Tip #48
Make your clients your "safety partners"
Inform clients who are selling that while you are taking safety precautions, and that you've checked and locked the home before leaving, they should immediately double-check all locks and scout for missing items immediately upon their return, in case you've missed any less-than-obvious means of entry.

Tip #49
Don't use the "V word"
When describing a listing, never say that a property is "vacant." This may be an invitation to criminals.

Tip #50
Check suspicious e-mails
Before you act on an e-mail request, check a list of the latest e-mail scams on the Federal Trade Commission's Web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-internet.htm.

Tip #51
When in doubt, shred!
Thoroughly shred all papers with personal information before you throw them away. Shred unwanted credit card applications and "convenience checks" that come in the mail, credit card receipts with your account number, outdated financial papers and papers containing your clients' personal information.

Tip #52
Opportunity for self-study of REALTOR Safety skills
Get industry-specific safety training any time, anywhere--with a complete, interactive online REALTOR safety course, available through REALTOR University. You'll also find valuable new and archived NAR safety Webinars.

Index of Stories

• Protect yourself from identity theft
• 10 tips for holding a safe open house
• Showing properties the safe way
• 8 steps for staying safe at ATMs
• Don't be a target for harassment or stalking
• 14 simple steps to safeguard your office
• Home safe home: Tips for seccuring your house
• Safety tips to share with sellers
• Parking lot safety
• Fight or flight? Consider the best response to a physical attack

Protect yourself from identity theft

Identity theft is a serious and costly crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims may lose job opportunities, be refused loans, housing or cars, or even get arrested for crimes they didn't commit.

The following tips can help you lower your risk of becoming a victim.

Protect your accounts against fraud.
Contact the fraud department of any of the three consumer reporting companies--Equifax, ExperianSM and Trans Union--to place a fraud alert on your credit report. The fraud alert automatically lets credit card companies and other creditors know they must contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts.

Don't get caught by "phishing."
Scam artists "phish" for victims' information by posing as representatives of banks, stores or government agencies. This is done over the phone, through regular mail, and especially via e-mail. Don't respond to a request to verify your account number or password. Don't give out your personal information unless you made the contact. Legitimate companies will not request this kind of information in this way.

Keep your identity from getting trashed.
Invest in a paper shredder and shred all papers with personal information before you throw them away, including unwanted credit card applications and "convenience checks" that come in the mail, credit card receipts with your account number, outdated financial papers and papers containing your clients' personal information.

Control your personal financial information.
Many states have laws requiring banks and other financial institutions to get your permission before sharing your personal financial information with outside companies. You also have the right to limit the sharing of your personal financial information with most of your companies' affiliates. Write to your companies that you want to "opt-out" of sharing your personal financial information with their affiliates.

Shield your computer from viruses and spies.
Use passwords with at least eight characters, including a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Use firewall and virus protection software and update it regularly. Download free software only from sites you know and trust, and don't install software without knowing what it is. Set browser security to at least "medium." Don't click on links in pop-up windows or in spam e-mail, and don't download any file from an e-mail address you don't know.

Click with caution
When shopping online, check out a Web site before entering your credit card number or other personal information. Enter personal information only on secure Web pages with "https" in the address bar and a closed padlock symbol at the bottom of the browser window.

Check your bills and bank statements.
Open your credit card bills and bank statements right away. Check for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately. Call if bills don't arrive on time. It may mean that someone has changed contact information to hide fraudulent charges.

Stop pre-approved credit offers.
Stop most pre-approved credit card offers by calling toll-free 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688) to have your name removed from credit bureau marketing lists.

Ask questions.
Ask questions whenever you are asked for personal information that seems inappropriate. Ask how the information will be used and if it will be shared. Ask how it will be protected.

Check your credit reports--for free.
One of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft is to monitor your credit history. You can get one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus. Order your free annual credit reports by phone, toll-free, at 877-322-8228, or online at www.annualcreditreport.com.

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10 tips for holding a safe open house

Open houses can be a great sales tool--but hosting one also exposes you to numerous unfamiliar people for the first time. Take these steps to stay safe:

1. If possible, always try to have at least one other person working with you at the open house.

2. Check your cell phone's strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial.

3. Upon entering a house for the first time, check all rooms and determine several "escape" routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.

4. Make sure that if you were to escape by the back door, you could escape from the backyard. Frequently, high fences surround yards that contain swimming pools or hot tubs.

5. Have all open house visitors sign in. Ask for full name, address, phone number and e-mail.

6. When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don't lead them. Say, for example, "The kitchen is on your left," and gesture for them to go ahead of you.

7. Avoid attics, basements, and getting trapped in small rooms.

8. Notify someone in your office, your answering service, a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don't call, they are to call you.

9. Inform a neighbor that you will be showing the house and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.

10. Don't assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking the doors. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.

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Showing properties the safe way

When you are showing an empty property, you can take these simple steps to empower yourself against attack or theft.

• Be sure to use the lockbox property-key procedure that has been established to improve real estate agent safety.
• Show properties before dark. If you are going to be working after hours, advise your associate or first-line supervisor of your schedule. If you must show a property after dark, turn on all lights as you go through, and don't lower any shades or draw curtains or blinds.
• Try and call the office once an hour to let people know where you are.
• If you think it may be some time before a property sells (and you may, therefore, be showing it often), get acquainted with a few of the immediate neighbors. You will feel better knowing they know your vehicle, and they will feel better about the stranger (you) who frequently visits their neighborhood.
• Prepare a scenario so that you can leave, or encourage someone who makes you uncomfortable to leave. Examples: Your cell phone or beeper went off and you have to call your office, you left some important information in your car, or another agent with buyers is on his way.
• In showing a property, always leave the front door unlocked for a quick exit while you and the client are inside. As you enter each room, stand near the door.
• It is better to not display purses while at a property. Lock your purse in the car trunk before you arrive. Carry only non-valuable business items (except for your cell phone), and do not wear expensive jewelry or watches, or appear to be carrying large sums of money.
• Park at the curb in front of the property rather than in the driveway. You will attract much more attention running and screaming to the curb area. It is much easier to escape in your vehicle if you don't have to back out of a driveway. Besides, parked in a driveway, another vehicle could purposefully or accidentally trap you.

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8 steps for staying safe at ATMs

Consider how vulnerable you are when you stop to withdraw cash from an ATM. Whether you're in your car at a drive-up machine, on the street or in a building's lobby, you may be marked as a target by a criminal--a target with cash in hand. Follow these simple steps each time you head to the ATM, and reduce your risks:

1. Try to plan your visits to automatic teller during the day, rather than after dark.

2. Choose an ATM location in a busy public place.

3. If possible, take along a friend who can watch the surroundings while you are conducting your transactions.

4. Pre-plan your transaction carefully, and don't spend too much time at the machine.

5. When you make a withdrawal, quickly place the money in your purse or wallet and leave as soon as you finish your transaction.

6. Watch out for suspicious-looking people waiting around an ATM – they may not really be customers. If someone offers to let you go ahead of them, decline politely and leave.

7. When visiting a drive-through ATM, keep your doors locked and be prepared to drive away quickly. If anyone approaches your car on foot, roll up your window and drive off.

8. If you have not finished your transaction, and a suspicious character approaches you, press the CANCEL button, receive your card and leave quickly.

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Don't be a target for harassment or stalking

Real estate professionals have been victims of harassment or stalking behavior from clients and potential clients.

Harassment occurs when a person subjects another to alarm by conveying a telephonic or written threat to inflict serious physical injury on that person or to commit a felony involving that person or their property.

Stalking is when a person knowingly alarms or coerces another person or a member of that person's family or household by engaging in REPEATED and UNWANTED contact with the other person.

Take these steps to avoid these unwanted behaviors:

• If you are being harassed or stalked, report the offender to your employer and the police immediately.
• All of your marketing materials should be polished and professional. Don't use alluring or provocative photography in advertising, on the Web or on your business cards. There are many documented cases of criminals actually circling photographs of their would-be victims in newspaper advertisements. These victims were targeted because of their appearance in the photograph.
• Limit the amount of personal information you share. Consider advertising without using your photograph, home phone number and/or home address in the newspaper or on business cards. Don't use your full name with middle name or initial. Use your office address--or list no address at all. Giving out too much of the wrong information can make you a target.
• Install caller I.D. on your telephone, which should automatically reject calls from numbers that have been blocked. This will provide you with immediate information about the source of the call.
• Be careful how much personal information you give verbally as well. Getting to know your client does not need to include personal information about your children, where you live and who you live with.
• All agents in your office should use only their first initial and last name on their "For Sale" signs to conceal gender and prevent anyone other than a personal acquaintance or current client asking for you by name.
• Meet weekly or monthly with co-workers and other area brokers to discuss business and safety issues. Share any concerns! If you are dealing with a suspicious customer, take extra precautions to avoid isolation or vulnerability. Discontinue your services for that customer if necessary.
• Maintain a file on past and present suspicious customers and homes.
• Report harassing phone calls to your employer and to the police immediately.
• It's important to tell the caller "never call here again," in order to meet the letter of the law regarding telephonic harassment.

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14 simple steps to safeguard your office

By now, you are aware of potential dangers that face real estate agents when they are meeting clients, showing properties or hosting open houses, and in their cars. There is one more place to consider: the office where you work.

You can help safeguard your business's (and your personal) property, and the safety of all who work in the office, with a few procedures and precautions:

1. Know staff in other nearby businesses and be aware of their schedules.
2. Ensure that all doors other than the main entrance are secured.
3. Make certain windows are not obscured so that passersby can see in.
4. Make sure there is a clear exit route from the service desk to the door.
5. Never allow visitors to wander freely about the business. Have the person whom they want to see come to the front office area and escort the individual to the meeting area.
6. Have a visitor log book and policy on issuing visitor tags that limit access to certain areas and hours of the day.
7. If you encounter an individual while working late or alone, indicate to that person that you are not alone. Say something like, "My supervisor will be right with you and should be able to assist you."
8. Keep personal information private. Avoid discussing where you live, after-work or vacation plans in front of customers, new coworkers or anyone in general with whom you are not comfortable.
9. Never leave valuables, purses or wallets tucked behind counters or on desks.
10. Lock away personal letterhead and business cards to avoid use by unauthorized people.
11. Mark equipment for easy identification in the event of theft or damage. Maintain an inventory of all marked items.
12. Lock up audio/visual equipment when not in use.
13. Secure spare and master keys in locked cabinets.
14. Protect client information. Most offices keep sensitive personal information on their computers and/or in paper files--names, Social Security numbers, credit card or other account data--that identifies customers or employees. If this sensitive data falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to fraud or identity theft.

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Home, safe home: Tips for securing your house

Many real estate professionals have home offices. Whether you work at home or not, you might want to consider additional steps to secure your home. Burglars usually leave if they can't break in within ninety seconds. Anything that slows down a thief by even a minute or two can keep your house from being robbed.

• Make sure that all doors to the outside are metal or solid, 1 ¾" hardwood and have good, sturdy locks.
• Use the locks you have. Keep your doors and windows locked, even if you're at home. Get your children into this habit, too. And always lock up your home when you go out, even if it's only for a few minutes.
• Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available bars or locks, or put a wooden dowel or broomstick in the door track.
• Make sure your windows, especially at ground level, have good locks and use them.
• Make sure all porches and other possible entrances are well lit. Heat- or motion-sensing lights are a good choice for outdoor lights.
• Trim any bushes or trees that hide doors or windows. Keep ladders, tools, toys, and recreational equipment inside when you're not using them.
• Don't hand out keys to friends, even if they are trustworthy. Know the location of all your house keys all the time. Never use hide-a-keys or leave the key under the doormat, above the door, in a flowerpot, or anywhere outside the house. You may think you're being clever, but experienced thieves know all the tricks. Also, keep your car keys and house keys on a different ring if you ever use valet parking or leave your keys with parking lot attendants or even at a repair garage.
• Watch your trash: Just bought a new entertainment system? A bunch of empty boxes out by the curb triggers an alarm to would-be thieves. Instead of putting boxes out in plain sight, cut them down, and stuff them in trash bags.
• Keep written records of all furniture, jewelry and electronic products. If possible, keep these records in a safe deposit box, fireproof safe, or other secure place. Take pictures or a video, and keep purchase information and serial numbers if available. These help law enforcement agencies track recovered items.
• Clearly display your house number, so police and other emergency vehicles can find your home quickly.
• If you see a screen that has been cut, broken windows, or a door that's been left open, don't go in. Call the police from a neighbor's house or a public phone.
• If you hear a noise that sounds like someone breaking in or moving around, quietly call the police and wait calmly until they arrive. If you can leave safely, do so. Otherwise, lock yourself in a room you are in, pretend to be asleep.

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Safety tips to share with sellers

Both NAR and OAR have worked hard to keep REALTOR Safety foremost in everyone's minds. But what about your clients? They, too, face some dangers in allowing strangers into their homes or visiting other people's properties.

Share this valuable advice with everyone, and you'll help them learn to protect themselves against crime:

• Remind your clients that strangers will be walking through their home during showings or open houses. Tell them to hide any valuables in a safe place. For security's sake, remember to remove keys, credit cards, jewelry, crystal, furs and other valuables from the home or lock them away during showings. Also remove prescription drugs. Some seemingly honest people wouldn't mind getting their hands on a bottle of Viagra, uppers or downers.
• DON'T leave personal information like mail or bills out in the open where anyone can see it. Be sure to lock down your computer and lock up your laptop and any other expensive, easy-to-pocket electronics, like iPods, before your showing.
• Tell your clients not to show their home by themselves. Alert them that not all agents, buyers and sellers are who they say they are. Predators come in all shapes and sizes. We tell our children not to talk to strangers. Tell your sellers not to talk to other agents or buyers, and to refer all inquiries to you.
• Instruct your clients that they are responsible for their pets. If possible, animals should be removed during showings. Make clients aware that buyers and agents are sometimes attacked, and the owner will be held liable.
• At an open house, be alert to the pattern of visitors' arrivals, especially near the end of showing hours. In some areas, a group of thieves will show up together near the end of the open house and, while a string of "potential buyers" distracts the agent, the rest of the group walks through the house, stealing any valuables they come across.
• Finally, when you leave a client's property, whether after an open house or a standard showing, make sure that all doors and windows are locked. Thieves commonly use open houses to scout for valuables and possible points of entry, then return after the agent leaves.
• Let your clients know that you will take all of the above safety precautions, but that when they return home, they should immediately verify that all doors are locked and all valuables accounted for.

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Parking lot safety

We spend a lot of time driving, and even doing work or making calls in our parked cars. As you travel from appointment to appointment, keep these tips in mind:

• Don't approach your vehicle if a van or other large vehicle with tinted windows is parked next to it. Find a security guard to walk you to your car, or look for a nearby couple walking to their car and say something like, "That vehicle wasn't there when I parked. Would you mind making sure I get into my car safely?"
• Have your key ready to open the car door. Never stand next to your car searching through your purse. Robbers, car-jackers and sexual predators all watch for this type of distraction.
• Once in your car, lock the doors immediately.
• Get moving. Don't sit inside of your vehicle adjusting the stereo, rummaging through shopping bags or your purse, or talking on your phone, especially if the lot is not well populated.
• If you have an unlocking button or keyless entry system, make sure you unlock only the driver door. Unlocking all doors allows a predator to simply slide into your car from the passenger side.
• Make sure that your dome light is always functioning properly. As you unlock your vehicle at night, glance into the back seat and make sure that an attacker has not gained access to your car.

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The 10-second rule

One of the most common reasons that people find themselves in dangerous situations is that they weren't paying attention. Take a few precious seconds during the course of your day to assess your surroundings.

Take 2 seconds when you arrive at your destination.

• Is there any questionable activity in the area?
  
• Are you parked in a well-lit, visible location?
  
• Can you be blocked in the driveway by a prospect's vehicle?

Take 2 seconds after you step out of your car.

• Are there suspicious people around?
  
• Do you know exactly where you're going?

Take 2 seconds as you walk towards your destination.

• Are people coming and going or is the area unusually quiet?
  
• Do you observe any obstacles or hiding places in the parking lot or along the street?
  
• Is anyone loitering in the area?

Take 2 seconds at the door.

• Do you have an uneasy feeling as you're walking in?
  
• Is someone following you in?

Take 2 seconds as soon as you enter your destination.

• Does anything seem out of place?
  
• Is anyone present who shouldn't be there or who isn't expected?

Safety in Just 10 Seconds
It takes just 10 seconds to scope out your surroundings and spot and avoid danger. Make this "ten-second scan" a habit in your everyday work as a Real Estate Professional Then share it with someone else.

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Fight or flight? Consider the best response to a physical attack

If you were to find yourself alone in a property with a client who indicated they wanted to harm you or rob you, what would you do? Would you put up a fight or try to escape?

It isn't pleasant to think about, but it's important to know the facts. Experts agree that when escape is an option, that is the route you should take. Remember, your primary goal in any incident is to escape from the danger and call for help.

When faced with menacing behavior, you should first try to find a discreet way of removing yourself from the situation. Try to avoid triggering the emotion a predator might use to justify an attack. For example, you can say that you need to step outside to make a phone call and then don't come back inside.

If an attack does occur, trust yourself and stay as calm as possible. Think rationally and evaluate your options. There is no single right way to respond to a confrontation, because each situation is different. Your response should depend on the circumstances: the location of the attack, your personal resources, the characteristics of your assailant and the presence of weapons. There are many strategies that are effective, but you must rely on your own judgment to choose the best one.

No resistance: Not resisting can be the proper choice in a given situation. An attacker with a gun or a knife may put you in a situation where you think it is safer to do what he or she says. If someone tries to rob you, give up your property, not your life.

Stalling for time: Appear to go along with the attacker. This might give you time to assess the situation. When his guard is down, try to escape.

Distraction and then flight: Obviously you should try to get away, but whether you can depends on many things, including your shoes and clothing, physical stamina, the terrain and your proximity to your attacker.

Verbal assertiveness: If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell "Stop!" or "Stay back!" Criminals have been known to leave a victim alone if he or she yelled or showed that he or she was not afraid to fight back.

Physical resistance: If you decide to respond physically, remember that your first response should be to flee the area or the home. Act quickly and decisively to throw the attacker off guard while you get away. Your personal safety is your first priority. Property can be replaced, but the value of your life and health is beyond measure. Also, you should familiarize yourself with your state's laws concerning self-defense, including the issue of what is proper or improper use of force to defend yourself during an attack.

Observation: Be sure to make an effort to get an accurate description of your attacker. Even the smallest details may give authorities a clue to finding the suspect.

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