September is REALTOR® Safety Month

In an ongoing effort to help protect our members and keep safety top of mind, Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR) and National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) dedicate September as REALTOR® Safety Month.

The reality in real estate is that there are some real threats when working in the field, and it's crucial to be prepared. The 2023 REALTOR® Safety Survey highlights alarming statistics of the potential dangers REALTORS® face while on the job:

• 56,000 REALTORS® were victims of a crime while performing their duties.
  
• 322,000 REALTORS® felt fear for their safety while on the job.
  
• 406,000 REALTORS® don’t have safety protocols in place to protect themselves.

The goal of REALTOR® Safety Month is to bring awareness of potential dangers and reduce the number of industry-related safety incidents, so every REALTOR® comes home safely to their family every night. There is no better time than now to reassess your safety protocols and make safety a top-of-mind priority.

LIBOR works with our members to improve the safety culture in the industry by raising awareness, educating on safety protocols, and encouraging all REALTORS® to stay vigilant on the job. To get started, LIBOR has made available an assortment of tools focused on agent safety that brokers and agents can use to establish a strategy that can be incorporated into your current office safety protocol.

In 2019, LIBOR established a  REALTOR® Safety Alert Network to notify members of local safety concerns and emergencies. Alerts will be issued in situations when a REALTOR® or a REALTOR®’s immediate family member goes missing, an association name is being used fraudulently to dupe consumers, or a physical threat to REALTORS® is deemed to warrant national attention.

Additionally, here are NAR’s Top 5 Safety Action Items that can make a significant difference in your safety:

• Plan Your Safety Strategy - Customize a safety plan to suit your unique needs
• Tips and Best Practices - Learn proven techniques to stay safe and avoid potential risks.
• REALTOR® SAFETY Month Webinar - Join NAR for a FREE live webinar on Sept. 18th at 1:00 pm CT for essential tips to stay safe on the job.
• Personal Protection Resources - Explore safety apps and devices for added security.
• REALTOR® Safety Pledge - Prioritize safety in your daily business operations for yourself, clients, and loved ones.

Throughout REALTOR® Safety Month LIBOR will offer a variety of resources, including weekly Safety Tips and Safety Webinars, to empower members to take action and stay safe. Safety is a healthy habit that could save your life. Remember, the real value in real estate is YOU.

For more information on safety tools and resources, visit lirealtor.com/safety.