It’s Realtor® Safety Month: Here’s what your peers are doing to protect themselves

September marks Realtor® Safety Month.

There are plenty of resources for you to educate and protect yourself. Many agents in the industry are being proactive for their safety

Thirty-eight percent of agents reported that they experienced a situation that made them fear for their personal safety or safety of their personal information, according to NAR’s 2017 Member Safety Report.

Women and real estate professionals in suburban areas were the most likely to report they felt this way, as nearly 45 percent of female real estate agents in suburban areas reported they felt concerned about their safety.

More than half of female (57 percent) and male (55 percent) agents carry something to protect themselves with. Nineteen percent carry pepper spray, 16 percent carry a firearm and 7 percent carry a pocket knife. Female agents are most likely to carry pepper spray, while male agents are most likely to carry a firearm.

Forty-four percent of agents reported using an app to track their whereabouts and/or inform someone in case of an emergency. The Find My iPhone app feature was the most popular, followed by the GPS Phone Track for Android app and Life 360. Forty-eight percent of female agents use an app, compared to 34 percent of male agents.

Additionally, many agents reported they inform friends, coworkers or family of their plans before showing a home.

Nearly 40 percent of agents have taken a self-defense class, and 20 percent have taken a Realtor® safety course. More Realtors® are meeting clients at a neutral location or their real estate office before viewing a home.

In brokerages, 44 percent of agents said their office has a procedure for safety.

Being prepared is always a good thing, and fortunately, 95 percent of agents reported they have not been the victim of a crime in their profession.