Feeling safe and secure in a home is paramount to living a full and healthy life. As agents across our communities help to settle families into new homes to start their next chapters, it is important to pause and discuss the safety of the industry that makes these dreams come true. September is Safety Month – a national month designated to bring awareness to and reduce the number of safety incidents across the industry.
Although real estate agents may not don a hard hat and boots each morning, that certainly doesn’t mean they don’t face potential safety risks each day. Agents spend a great deal of time traveling, encounter new people all the time and often find themselves alone in new or strange places. Here are a few safety tips to consider while excelling in real estate:
- Try to meet new clients at an office or public space – somewhere neutral for a first meeting.
- Share your schedule with a trusted colleague or family member, and don’t be afraid to check in with them throughout the day.
- Be friendly with potential clients but be guarded about your personal information. Additionally, always encourage your clients to stow away their personal information during showings or open houses.
- Always check your cell phone battery level and cell coverage when visiting a new house or hosting an open house.
- If you work in an area with inadequate cell coverage, consider an additional GPS device.
- Speaking of cell phones – as tempting as it can be and as much as you want to get business done – never text and drive. Please wait until you arrive at your destination to make those important connections. Remember that most state laws prohibit texting and driving.
- And be mindful of where your travels take you – pay attention to potential car troubles and impending weather in advance. Packing a safety bag with a first aid kit, water, blankets and flashlights is always a good idea!
While Howard Hanna places a strong focus on safety and education every day, we encourage all agents to do their research and check out industry resources available online.
