REALTORS® on the move safety needs

Being a successful real estate professional means being constantly on the move - meeting with clients, looking at properties & running errands. For many REALTORS®, their car is their second home, & nowadays even a second office. Safety needs to be a priority for anyone on the move this much.

• Be careful how you dress. Avoid wearing expensive jewellery that attracts attention.
• Carry a list of important telephone numbers with you at all times, including friends, family & insurance numbers.
• Carry only the cash & cards that you absolutely need.
• Carry a loud whistle or portable alarm with you & practice using it so you are comfortable with how if feels.
• Always keep your car properly tuned & in good working order.
• Never run your car with less than a quarter-tank of gas in it. This will protect you from running out.
• Keep a flashlight, maps & a "CALL POLICE" or "CALL TOW TRUCK" sign in your glove compartment.
• In your trunk, keep a container of motor oil, gallon of water, tire jack, reflectors, flares, blanket, first-aid kit, candle, matches, umbrella & spare tire in the case of emergency.
BE AWARE 
• Avoid parking in poorly lit streets & parking lots.
• Always lock your car & take your keys with you, even if you are just making a brief stop or running an errand.
• Never leave any valuables visible in the car.
• Lock your briefcase & any items of value in the trunk.
• Get into the habit of always checking the front & back seats of the car before getting in.
• If you are in a questionable area & you get a flat tire, keep driving until you get to a safe place.
• Remember that your car is the safest place for you, stay inside it if you have to wait for help.
• If you are forced to stop & can't use your cell phone, open the window only slightly to ask someone for assistance.
• If you ever feel threatened by anyone while stopped, tell them that the police have been called & are on their way.
STAY MOBILE 
• When parking at night, make sure your car is left in a well-lit, visible location.
• Make a mental note of where you are parked & make sure you can get out of the spot easily.
• When you are walking from place to place, try not to carry so much that you can't easily drop it & run.
• Also, make sure you can access the things you may need in an emergency like your phone or a whistle.
• Walk briskly & confidently with your head up & with a definite destination in mind.
• Especially for women, being lost in thought, looking down or rifling through a handbag can leave you vulnerable.
STAY IN CONTACT 
• Keep a charged cell phone with you at all times.
• Keep your phone easily accessible, & practice getting to it in a hurry. If it takes more than a couple of seconds, change where you keep it.
• Always carry enough small change to make several emergency telephone calls if you cannot use your cell phone.