September is REALTOR® Safety Month—a time to highlight the unique safety challenges REALTORS® face and take a fresh look at the practices and protocols that help keep them (and those around them) safe. While safety should be a priority all year long, dedicating a month to the topic provides an opportunity to start conversations and renew our focus on making safety an intentional part of the way we do business. 

Real estate professionals don't have the typical nine-to-five office environment. An agent's work may involve meeting people they’ve never met before, entering unfamiliar properties, traveling alone, working after dark, or hosting an open house without others around. Agents may also occasionally work in rural or remote locations where cell service is limited, or help may not be close by.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2024 Member Safety Residential Report, about 4% of residential members reported being the victim of a crime, either violent or nonviolent. More notably, 25% of female members and 12% of male members said they had experienced a situation that made them fear for their personal safety.

It’s important to remember that most client interactions are completely routine, and most clients are trustworthy. Still, the nature of the job means REALTORS® can find themselves in situations where a little preparation can make a big difference. And safety isn't only about protecting yourself. As NAR reminds us, “Safety is not just about REALTOR® safety, it is also about ensuring the safety of the client, customer, landlord, tenant, and REALTOR®” in any transaction. 

One of the best things an agent can do during REALTOR® Safety Month is to take an honest look at their everyday routines.

Do you let someone know where you're going when meeting a new client? Do you have a system for verifying a client's identity? Do you pay attention to where you park before entering a property? Do you have a plan for what you'll do if you suddenly feel uncomfortable during a showing?

NAR recommends creating a personal safety strategy and following it consistently with every client. Suggestions include meeting new clients in an office or neutral location, sharing your schedule with someone you trust, checking your phone's battery and signal before an appointment, and avoiding situations where you could become trapped inside a property, among others. 

REALTOR® safety isn't limited to physical safety and what happens during a showing. Today's agents also need to think about protecting personal and client information online.

Strong, unique passwords, two-factor authentication, secure Wi-Fi, and careful handling of sensitive information can help protect both an agent and their clients. As more of the real estate process moves online, digital security has become a critical part of an agent's overall safety strategy.

It's also worth considering how much personal information you share publicly. Social media and online marketing are important tools for REALTORS®, but oversharing details about your home, family, daily routine, or location can come with some risk.

Safety shouldn't be something agents feel they have to figure out on their own. Brokers and colleagues can play an important role in creating a culture where safety is encouraged, discussed openly, and incorporated into everyday business practices. 

Brokerages can establish clear safety protocols, provide regular training, and make sure agents know what resources are available. NAR has a robust safety program for both individuals and brokerages, which includes webinars, articles, videos, and more. 

For instance, the association is hosting a webinar this month entitled Fake, Fraudulent or AI? Outsmarting Wire Fraud, Deepfakes, Crypto Scams, and the New Real Estate Scam Playbook. NAR also offers a downloadable PDF, 56 Weekly Tips for REALTORS®, which covers a variety of topics including “client meetings, safety during open houses and at showings, cyber security, and more.”

REALTOR® Safety Month doesn't mean an agent or brokerage needs to completely overhaul the way they do business. Instead, use September as an opportunity to review the basics and maybe identify one or two areas where you could improve.

Start with the basics. Update your emergency contacts, review your brokerage's safety procedures, check your digital security, or simply talk with your team about what you would do in an emergency. Then, commit to checking in periodically to see how things are working and if anything needs to be revised. 

At the end of the day, REALTOR® safety month isn’t intended to stir up paranoia; it’s simply about ensuring agents are educated and prepared. Whether you’re new to the business or have been in the industry for decades, taking time to make a safety plan is time well spent. Remember, the goal isn’t necessarily to change the way you work; it’s to make sure you can keep doing the work you love safely!