Safety Month

September is REALTOR® Safety Month

Orange County REALTORS® is proudly offering the following safety classes in honor of REALTOR® Safety Month:

• Myths, Facts, & Must-Know Safety Hacks - Join Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes for an important presentation tailored specifically for REALTORS®. Sheriff Barnes will share insights on current public safety trends impacting our communities, including the rise of fentanyl-related incidents, homeland security concerns, and the evolving challenges tied to Proposition 36.

  Attendees will learn practical safety tips for everyday situations, strategies for safer client interactions, and the latest information on personal safety devices designed to protect you while working in the field.

  Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge from the Sheriff’s Office to help keep yourself, your clients, and our community safe.

  Lunch will be provided. Space is limited.

  • Tuesday, September 2, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm, Fountain Valley
  • Register at www.ocrealtors.org/safety-hacks

• De-Escalating Intense Situations - Hear from Hostage Negotiator, Harry Drucker, as he shares stories and tips from his career in law enforcement that you can utilize in your professional life dealing with the public in what can often be highly emotional or difficult situations.
   
  • Thursday, September 4, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Online Webinar
  • Register at www.ocrealtors.org/de-escalating

• Safe Selling: Personal Safety & Active Shooter Response Training - This class covers training and policies to protect employees from acts of workplace violence, with a focus on active shooter response and best practices for vetting clients and showing homes safely.

  Key points covered in the class:

  • What actions to take and avoid in an active shooter situation
  • WVPP types of levels and violence (by strangers, coworkers, customers/clients, personal relationships)
  • Run, hide, and fight in detail, plus a 4th option
  • What to do if held hostage
  • OODA LOOP (awareness training)
  • Best practices for vetting clients and safe procedures for showing homes
     
    • Tuesday, September 9, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Fountain Valley
    • Register at www.ocrealtors.org/safe-selling

• Holding a Successful Open House - You want to get in front of as many interested Buyers as you possibly can, and what better way than to hold a successful and safe Open House?

  In the current “low inventory” real estate market, no one marketing plan is more effective in acquiring interested Buyers (and sometimes Sellers) than your Open House! Open Houses, when done properly, are not just a “passive real estate tool”; let me show you how to make serious money doing what comes easiest for the real estate licensee! And, be safe! With the new rules regarding Buyer Representation, what better time than NOW to learn what you may, and may not, do, at your Open House! Sure to be a Grand Slam! 

  • Monday, September 22, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Fountain Valley
  • Register at www.ocrealtors.org/open-house

• Click Smart, Stay Safe: Cybercrime Secrets from the DA - Join the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for an eye-opening look at the latest cyber threats and how to protect yourself. From phishing scams and identity theft to online fraud and digital privacy, you’ll learn real-world prevention tips straight from the experts who investigate these crimes every day. Walk away with the knowledge and tools to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
  
  Featured Speakers:
  • Todd Spitzer, District Attorney
  • Kate Wagner, Sr. DDA 
  • Angela Gunderson, Sr. DDA
  • Jeremy Johnson, FBI Task Force Investigator
  • Eric Tapper, Supervising Investigator 
     
    • Thursday, September 25, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Fountain Valley
    • Register at www.ocrealtors.org/cybercrime

• Real Estate Lessons Learned - Ripped from the Headlines... Hear real life stories about crimes against agents. We will discuss what happened and Tracey will offer expert and actionable safe practices to prevent an event to reoccur.

  Learn about resources available to help prevent these crimes and continue to work safely. Learn how to protect the consumer and build your business too.

  • Monday, September 29, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Online Webinar
  • Register at www.ocrealtors.org/lessons

Every profession has its own risks and rewards. As a REALTOR® it is up to you to know these risks so you can stay safe. As the seasons change, so do the available safety resources. Orange County REALTORS® has put together a list of resources, products, and tips for you to stay up-to-date on safety practices.

Best Practices for REALTORS® to Stay Safe While on the Job

1. Get a Copy of a Client’s ID Before Meeting with Them – Request some form of official identification from clients before meeting with them in person. Ensure someone you know has the client’s basic information about when and where you’ll be meeting them.
2. Bring Someone with You to Client Meetings – Bring someone you trust with you to client meetings, especially if this is the first time you’re meeting this client, if the meeting is at night, or in a relatively remote location. 
3. Make Sure People Know Where You Are - If you are unable to have someone with you when meeting a client, share the meeting and basic client information with someone you know and ask them to call you at a set time, or multiple times throughout the meeting, to ensure everything is okay.
4. Carry Self-Defense Items with You – Carrying some form of self-defense item is advisable in all situations, but particularly when meeting with a client you don’t know very well. Perhaps the most effective self-defense item is pepper spray, which is permitted according to California state law.
5. Learn Self-Defense and Situational Awareness – While not everyone has the ability or willingness to become masters in martial arts, taking a basic self-defense course can be a life-saving investment. Always remember that if you do need to attack, you should go for the eyes, throat, and groin, as those are the most sensitive areas.

Resources & Articles:

Keep in mind that REALTOR® safety goes beyond being safe at an open house. Use these tips to stay safe 24/7.

4 'Danger Zones' in Your Daily Work Routine

NAR Safety Resources

Safety Tips From NAR

NAR REALTOR® Safety Toolkit for Brokerages

C.A.R. Safety Resources

Branded Virtual Backgrounds

Represent OC REALTORS® with one of these Safety Month branded backgrounds when attending a virtual meeting with OCR.

Products and Apps