The National Association of Realtors® has designated the week of September 14-20 national "REALTOR® Safety Week."

The purpose of the week is to help create safety thinking among real estate practitioners and to remind them about the importance of safety. NAR is also urging local and state Realtor organizations to hold training classes and awareness seminars on how practitioners can keep themselves safe on the job.

Safety experts say that selling real estate is one of the most dangerous jobs there is, but knowing simple strategies can save lives, NAR said. To provide safety resources to NAR members year round, NAR has designed a special safety week kit, with the slogan "One week, for life," that has been provided free to all local and state associations to assist them in putting together safety programs. The kits were mailed to boards in late July.

"We are deeply committed to REALTOR® safety. While most of our activities at NAR are aimed at helping our members prosper, no measure of material success can equal the value of an agent's life or well being," said NAR President Cathy Whatley.

"Unfortunately, the risks Realtors® face often have an impact with tragic consequences. Working with an unfamiliar person, in an isolated location, may potentially expose both male and female agents to life-threatening situations," Whatley said.

Whatley also pointed out that safety is a year-round concern and that NAR's safety campaign will be an ongoing one.

The REALTOR® Safety Week Kit contains a safety information booklet, organized with tabs to sections on safety resources, office safety tools, safety tips and scenarios, and materials on making safety presentations. The kit also contains the NAR video, "Don't Be a Victim: Personal Safety for Realtors®," and a CD with further information and downloadable documents. Also included in the kit is a combination safety whistle and flashlight key chain.

For more information on REALTOR® Safety Week, visit www.REALTOR.org/Safety, or call Christina Kaucnik, 312/329-8875.

PERSONAL PROTECTION FOR REALTORS

Published: September 15, 2003

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