According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the top two most dangerous occupations in the United States are (1) timber cutter, and (2) airline pilot. Despite those figures, headlines across the country are proving that the health hazards associated with a career in real estate may be pushing real estate up the danger scale rather quickly.

The nature of their business and various work environments makes real estate agents much more susceptible to falling victim to random acts of violence than any private citizen who resides alone. Real estate professionals often spend the majority of their days driving clients, many of whom are complete strangers, around for hours looking at properties and homes for sale. By the nature of their sales profession, they willing enter vacant homes to show clients. It’s in this very setting –an empty home with no one else within sight or earshot—that a violent criminal has total freedom to carry out any violent act imaginable. The only thing that law enforcement can do is show up after a crime has been carried out to investigate, which provides very little help the victim.

All realtors should be encouraged to implement the following safety measures, especially when in the field showing properties:

• Always meet a client at your office initially and document your meeting in some manner.
• Schedule meetings in your office when you know coworkers and other clients are likely to be present. If impossible, at very least arrange to meet your clients in a public place such as a coffee shop or restaurant.
• Acquire your client's name and telephone number, and call to confirm that the telephone number is a real working number not a fake.
• Before leaving your workplace to show homes, notify one or more of your colleagues so that they know where you are going. It’s wise to document on paper your planned route for the day.
• Consider driving your car and having the client drive his/her car alone to the property or home being shown. Many realtors prefer to ride together with their clients so that they can talk on the way and establish report, but taking separate cars remains the safest choice.
• If you feel suspicious about a specific client, enlist the help of a friend or colleague along to a showing to go along with you on a showing.
• Lock all car doors immediately after entering your car and again whenever you leave your car unattended.
• Always carry a cell phone at all times. Many cell phones are set up so that by pressing and holding the "9" button a 911 call is automatically placed.
• Carry pepper spray or a stun gun, both of which can help you keep dangerous dogs at bay, as well as, predators posing as clients.

By adhering to these simple safety precautions and possibly even becoming familiar with a few self-defense tactics, every real estate professional can feel secure in expanding their client base.