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September is REALTOR® Safety Month and the National Association of REALTORS® offers an assortment of resources that can help newcomers and veterans of the profession stay safe.

Here are five safety tips to consider:

• Let potential buyers walk in front of you when exploring a home, and always keep the front door open in case a quick escape is needed.
• Don’t assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all the rooms and the backyard prior to locking the doors.
• If you are in an unfamiliar area, make mental notes of landmarks, points of interest and intersections. And always know the exact address of where you are going.
• Be aware of your surroundings. When you arrive at a showing, check for potential dangers: Is there any questionable activity in the area? Are you parked in a well-lit, visible location? Can your car be blocked in the driveway by another vehicle?
• When showing a home, always have your prospect walk in front of you. Don’t lead them, but rather, direct them. Gesture for them to go ahead of you and say, for example, “The master suite is in the back of the house.”

For more information, go to: https://www.nar.realtor/topics/realtor-safety.

(Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a series of NAR safety tips provided for real estate professionals. Read the first and third stories.)