Danger Zone Number One: Your Vehicle

Real estate professionals are often distracted by their phones when exiting or walking to their cars. Criminals see that distraction as an opportunity to attack. Safety Tips:

• Pay attention to your surroundings. Park in a well-lit area with people and other cars nearby, if possible.

• Pull through on parking spaces for a faster exit.

• Be alert between the hours of 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., which is when most carjackings occur.

• Keep your passenger doors locked when you enter your vehicle.

It is advised that real estate professionals to be aware of their surroundings and look for the “pink squirrel”—that is, anything that’s noticeably out of place. “If you see someone wearing a heavy coat in the summertime, that’s unusual. That coat could be hiding weapons.”