The recent headlines about the abduction of Sherri Papini, a runner in Northern California, has generated conversation about the precautions runners should take when they venture out alone. But personal safety is something that everyone should think about, so it begs the question: how many Real Estate Agents have safety protocols in place?
Nobody wants paranoia or distrust to be a component of the job they love, so taking precautions ahead of time can help eliminate these pitfalls.
Take Your Personal Safety to the Next Level
It is good practice to let a colleague, friend, or family member know the location of the homes you are showing or the open house you are sitting. But in addition, there are new tools and apps that can provide Real Estate Agents with an added level of security with little to no expense.
Wearsafe is a small device that is wearable and can easily be attached to a key ring. Depress the button and the device will record your voice or those around you and send it to your designated contacts. Along with the alert and message, it will send your location via GPS coordinates. For only $5 a month, Wearsafe can provide you with some peace of mind.
bSafe is a personal safety app that works on both iPhone and Android platforms – and it is free! Utilize it to set up your “personal social safety network,” allowing friends and family to receive emergency alerts when your safety is in jeopardy. Set up the app to access your video camera, sound an audible siren, and send an alert to your safety network, along with your GPS coordinates, so they can alert the authorities. Easy and free make this app a must have!
An emergency alert is activated when you remove your thumb from your phone screen on the Lifeline Response app and fail to type in your access code. Once the alert is activated, a siren is emitted and emergency response is called. GPS coordinates allow the police to find your exact location as opposed to a 911 phone call which only provides a radius for your location. At only $3.75/mo., Lifeline Response is an inexpensive option for personal safety.
While the NAR’s REALTOR® Safety Resource Kit offers some great tips to keep agents safe, these new gadgets and apps take your personal safety up to the next level.
What do you do to stay safe?
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