Last week we were alerted to a suspicious man who was apparently trolling the Realtor community for situations to find female agents working alone. Once again, we are reminded that Realtor safety should be top of mind at all times. Though this latest story created a lot of media buzz, we know there are many other disturbing incidents that occur regularly among the Realtor community that we don’t hear about.
Being cautious and assertive for your personal safety does not mean you have to live in fear as you go about your business. It simply means that you make yourself less vulnerable and lower your risk of harm.
Tip #1: What is the most effective self defense system available today?
Without a doubt, it is your willingness and readiness to deploy one, because no amount of alarm gadgets, apps, or practiced routines and responses will save you from harm unless and until you are ready, willing and able to actually use them.
Unfortunately, many people who are facing potentially unsafe people or situations hesitate to act firmly and decisively because they don’t want to seem rude or judgmental. Or they feel self-conscious or uncomfortable with confrontation.
Have you ever stepped onto an elevator alone with a person that made you uneasy, or accepted a ride with someone whom you knew had been drinking?
The reality is that you do not need permission from anyone, to decline an appointment, a ride, or an invitation if you do not feel one hundred per cent safe in doing so. Not only that, you do not owe anyone an explanation for declining it. Period.
Your only obligation is to your safety and secondarily to your colleagues. If that means you come across as cold or rude from time to time, so be it. You don’t always have to be nice. You do need to be assertive and ready to act.
Tip #2: Timing is everything
Let’s say your car breaks down on a country road and you hitch a ride from the first car you see coming. What should your strategy be if the driver starts speaking or acting inappropriately and making you uncomfortable?
You may have an emergency number programmed into your phone, but will you be able to reach for it in time? Will you be in a state of unease to the degree that you fumble it?
Long before you are in a situation where you feel the back of your neck tingle with unease, think about how to avoid that situation to begin with. Time your personal safety far in advance of any situation that could present risk.
It isn’t always convenient and sometimes it’s very awkward to choose caution over convenience. But making the decision ahead of time to be proactive means you would have had a safe alternative to hitchhiking, long before your car broke down.
Tip #3: Should you trust your gut, or not?
When it comes to self-defense, many people will advise you to “trust your instincts.”
The instinctual response to danger is something animals and humans both come equipped with, to some degree. Key point is that it’s to a degree. It is not an absolute fail-safe. How many stories have you heard of the “nice man” or friendly stranger who seemed so kind and helpful and then committed acts of violence? Many victims do not have a gut response to danger, until it’s too late.
Listening to our inner voice when we sense potential risk is very useful, even if it turns out our fears are unfounded. But don’t wait until your senses are screaming at you before you act with common sense.
Your best weapon against danger is to follow the rules of safety and precaution even when there is no apparent danger. Make it a habit. Review your office safety protocol and follow the guidelines in CREA’s REALTOR Safety Booklet,
Safety apps
There are apps on the market that may enhance your safety. Find out if your office has them in place and if not, partner with your colleagues to make app usage more effective. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) website lists several of them here.
More information:
- Resources on REALTOR Link®.