Think Safety During Your Trip!

[Molly Lasater]

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL REALTOR SAFETY MONTH!  As real estate agents, we embark on numerous journeys to meet clients. It is extremely important that you return home safely each and every night from the field. So how can you prepare to manage your trip?  Here are ten SOLID tips to help you have a safe trip.

1. PLAN YOUR ROUTE

- Research the area you are traveling to. Don’t always rely on your mobile phone’s GPS in case of service “dead-spots.”

- If inclement weather persists, allow yourself ample time to arrive safely. If conditions are dangerous, you may want to consider asking the client to post-pone the showing until conditions change.

- Be aware of construction zones or high traffic areas and attempt to reroute if possible.

2.  PERFORM A PRE-TRIP INSPECTION

- Always ensure you have a full tank of gas.

- Keep at least two bottles of water in your vehicle. Water is essential to have in case of an emergency.

- Check tires, lights, wiper blades and fluids.

- Have a hidden key. There are numerous gadgets to purchase to hide your key under the vehicle in case you accidentally lock your key inside.

- Know how to use a tire jack.

- Keep a standard first aid kit in the vehicle.

3.  DRIVE SAFELY

- Always wear your seatbelt and wear it correctly.

- Never text and drive.

- Use hands-free services if cell phone use is needed.

- Follow all traffic signs and laws.

- Take your time and get there safely!

4. HAVE A TRIP PARTNER

- Always let a family member, friend or coworker know where you are going and who you are meeting.

- Provide them a list of addresses you plan to visit along with an estimated time of arrival. If something happens, they will know where to start looking.

- Turn on the location sharing services on your mobile phone so your trip partner knows exactly where you are during the entire trip.

5.  SHOW UP EARLY

- Arrive at least 10-15 minutes earlier than the client.

- While waiting in your vehicle, make sure your doors are locked and keep the car running in case you need to leave due to an unexpected advance by a stranger.

- Ensure the area appears safe before you exit the vehicle.

- If you intend to wait inside the home for your client to arrive, be sure to lock the door behind you after entering.

6.  PARK SAFELY

- Never park facing a cul-de-sac or dead end road. Always park your vehicle facing an intersection out of the area.

- Never park in the drive way of the residence as you could get trapped by another vehicle.

- Always make sure you have an exit strategy before parking.

7.  CHECK IN

- Send “OK” texts to your trip partner every 15-30 minutes. You can also use codewords or specific emojis to notify the trip partner that you need their help or are feeling threatened.

8.  MIND YOUR KEY

- Don’t put your vehicle keys deep in your pockets or purse with items that can get in the way. Have a specific, easy-access place for them.

9.  LOCK AND LEAVE

- Lock your car doors as soon as you get into the vehicle.

- Leave the area immediately and don’t spend time looking at your phone messages or social media accounts. This distracts you from noticing possible dangers. Wait until you reach a known or safe area.

10.  DIAL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES

- In Case of an Emergency - DIAL 911.

- Get to a safe location. If driving, pull over in a safe location. Avoid shoulders if possible in heavy or fast traffic areas. If in a residence, exit quickly and attempt to contact a neighboring residence for help.

Thank you for reading!  I would love to see your comments on how you prepare for a safe trip. 

Molly Lasater
CEO - SOLID Real Estate Services
Midland - DFW - Houston
www.solidtxagent.com