Can REALTORS® ever be TOO safe? The only answer to this question is NO!
 
September is National REALTORS® Safety Month to bring REALTOR® and public awareness to the matter, but we need to practice being safe 24/7, all 365 days of the year! We need to always be working to "minimize the risk".  
 
Knowledge, Awareness & Empowerment are the core components of REALTOR® Safety.
 
I am very passionate about this topic, and I make an effort every day to make those that I am in contact with aware, alert and to always have their head on a swivel. "It's not a problem until it's a problem."
 
Did you know we have a REALTOR® Safety Pledge?
 
"As a REALTOR®, my first priority is the well-being and safety of myself, my REALTOR® colleagues, the clients and customers we serve, and the business partners who foster our profession. Therefore, I pledge to always conduct business and prospecting activities in a reasonable manner, which includes following the recommendations from the National Associations of REALTORS®.I am committed to receive education and in turn to advise consumers and colleagues of best safety practices.REALTORS® are committed to safety, and I take this pledge because I care about the well-being of myself, my clients and customers, my colleagues, and my profession."
 
If you have not already downloaded and explored the FOREWARN app that Baldwin REALTORS® just provided us, you need to do it ASAP. This app allows us to work safer and smarter by instantly verifying a prospect's identity and potential risks prior to a face-to-face engagement. Within seconds, with as little information as a phone number or name, we can verify a prospect's identity, criminal records, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, address history and property records all in one place leading to safer and more productive interactions.
 
FOREWARN is an awesome tool, yes, but we also do not need to let this tool give us a false since of safety just because it does not give us warning signs. Never put your guard down regardless of the information or comfort you feel in any situation.
 
The National Association Of REALTORS® (NAR) tells us:

• The average REALTOR® meets prospective clients whom they have never met in person 66% of the time.
• 73% of REALTORS® have personal safety protocols in place that they follow with every client. Are you included in this 73%?
• 40% of REALTORS® say they have participated in a self-defense class. Are you included in this 40%?
• 43% of men and 54% of women carry a self-defense weapon or tool. Are you included in this %?

You can visit NAR SAFETY (CLICK HERE) for a list of safety procedures and videos to "minimize the risk".
 
I currently have the Orange Beach Chief Of Police scheduled to be at the Orange Beach & Ono Island Sales meeting in September to provide us an overall update on their departments 2023 activity and to specifically give us some safety tips that we can use to "minimize the risk".  I encourage you to ask your Broker if this is a possibility for your local police chief to visit your office for their safety recommendations. We cannot ever be too safe!

"Minimize The Risk"