Risks to your safety are out there. We want you to feel empowered if an imminent threat, of any kind, comes your way. We’ve compiled tools for your use, articles to brush up on your knowledge and information for you to share with your colleagues and clients to encourage safe practices.
GET IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS WITH FOREWARN
The FOREWARN app is a complimentary, proactive safety and lead intelligence service for Chicago REALTORS®! This app allows agents to have instant due diligence on prospects. In seconds, with as little information as a phone number or name, you can verify a prospect’s identity, criminal records, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, address history and property records all in one place, leading to safer and more productive interactions.
Get started with FOREWARN today by clicking here.
CHECK OUT THESE ADDITIONAL APPS FOR SAFETY
Find My iPhone
Apple users can download this app to find their missing device by logging in with their Apple ID. Other handy features include remotely locking a phone, playing a sound to help locate it, displaying a message on the lock screen by putting it in Lost Mode, and erasing all the data remotely.
GPS Phone Tracker
This is the app of choice for Android users. It also has a web login for the computer in case someone loses their phone and needs to track it. A REALTOR® might use the GPS Phone Tracker to monitor the journey of another REALTOR® traveling to and from a showing, and vice versa.
Life360
Available for both iPhone and Android devices, this app allows users to form groups with friends, family, and colleagues while Life360 shares the location of every group member within the group.
Homesnap Safety Timer
The Homesnap Safety Timer can be activated once a REALTOR® enters a home. If the prescribed amount of time runs out and the REALTOR® has not stopped the time, a message will be sent to all the emergency contacts.
Showing Beacon
Showing Beacon is designed to give you peace of mind while at a showing or meeting by offering a way to keep a preferred contact informed of your status should you want to send an alert.
Read Up on Safety Tips & Tricks
In Chicago REALTOR® Magazine, we regularly share a variety of safety tips and tricks. Check out our REALTOR® safety related articles below:
- Open House Safety
- Easy Safety Tips to Implement in 60 Seconds or Less
- REALTOR® Safety Month Resolutions You Should Make
- Reassure Your Clients Of the Safety of SentriLock
- Defensive Behavior: Safety Tips Just for You
- Is Your Data Exposed?
- The 411 on Safety: Get to Know Your CAPS Office & Beat Officers
ENSURE SAFETY & SECURITY WITH SENTRILOCK LOCKBOXES
Sentrilock lockboxes allow you to practice safely and securely when selling a home. Only those you share the code with have access to the lockboxes, and they track activity, so you know when someone is accessing the property. Keep your seller’s home secured and provide peace of mind by using a Sentrilock lockbox. Sign up for a Sentrilock membership today!
4 Safety Tips From the Chicago Police Department
Creating a working relationship with your beat cops can keep you informed on what’s happening in your community. Here are the city’s four tips for safety.
#1: Find Your Beat
Find out what beat you’re located in by calling 311, visiting the “community” section of chicagopolice.org or calling your alderman’s office.
#2: Attend a Beat Meeting
A beat meeting is a monthly, informal meeting between beat officers and community stakeholders. Beat meetings are the cornerstone of the CAPS program, fostering a two-way discussion between officers and residents to share knowledge and feedback on area happenings, as well as policies and safety strategies.
#3: Stay in the Know
Communicate with your beat officer and attend beat meetings to get neighborhood information. Beat officers know the ins and outs of their areas, so they can inform you of any crime trends and locations.
#4: Put A Plan in Place for Your Safety
It’s critical that you have a plan in place while transacting, and if you feel threatened or something feels off, drive to a nearby police station. If you’re hosting an open house and want to notify a professional in case of an emergency, reach out to your CAPS office. If an emergency happens that requires 911 assistance, the office will know where the open house is happening and who’s hosting it.
Learn More About Safety from Our Education Team
Our education team, as well as our REALTORS® Real Estate School, have additional videos and classes for you to learn more this safety month. Check them out below.
- Lanora Office Hours: September Is REALTOR® Safety Month – How to Stay Safe
- Lanora Office Hours: REALTOR® Safety
- Sexual Harassment Prevention Training & REALTOR® Safety (2 hours CE)
Additional Safety Resources from NAR
The goal of NAR’s Safety Program is to reduce the number of safety incidents that occur in the industry, so every REALTOR® comes home safely to his or her family every night. Here are some of their top safety resources:
- Safety Videos: Covering topics office safety, client safety, cyber safety and more.
- Safety Webinars: Discussing data security, personal safety, working with clients and more.
- Resources for Personal Safety: Including safety products, programs and apps.
- Safety Month 30-Day Plan Calendar: This specially crafted calendar allows you to share important safety practices with your members.
- Social Media Tips: Keep safety top of mind by sharing daily tips throughout the month.