With the spring home buying season in full swing, there couldn’t be a better time to remind real estate professionals of the dangers they face when showing property or meeting with prospective clients outside of their office. Before you head out the door, consider these tips from the N.C. Real Estate Safety Council:

Tell Someone Make sure you tell someone where you are going, who you are going with and when you will be back. If you plan on meeting a prospective client at the property, jot down the make, model, color and license number of their car when they arrive and phone your office with this information before you proceed. Whenever possible, make sure the client knows you have shared this information with someone. You are less likely to be attacked if the criminal knows you will be missed and he or she can be identified. If you work alone, consider telling a friend, family member or your answering service when to expect you back. Even leaving behind a note on your desk could help the authorities find you in an emergency situation.

Have a Buddy and Distress Code Plan in advance who you are going to call when your instincts tell you to get help. If you get an uneasy feeling before meeting the prospective client at a property, ask your "buddy" – a co-worker or friend – to join you for the meeting. While this reduces the risk of a dangerous situation, it doesn’t eliminate it. Even with a buddy around, you still need to proceed with caution. If you’ve already met up with a prospective client and begin to feel nervous about being alone with them, a prearranged distress code can help. For example, you’re driving a prospective client to a showing, and for one reason or another, feel uneasy about being in an empty house with him or her. Call your office and tell someone where you are and ask them to pull out the "red file." In this case, "red file" is the prearranged distress code to have someone meet you at the property so you will not be alone. You can make up your own distress code; however, it’s advisable to have a single distress code that is used by the entire office.

Keep a Cell Phone Handy A fully-charged cell phone is one of the best tools you can have in your safety toolkit, but to be effective, you must carry it with you at all times. Get a holster and make it a part of your apparel, or keep it in your hand throughout your client meeting. Your greatest source of help is your cell phone. If you keep it in a purse or briefcase, it may not be available when you need it most. Be sure to program your emergency numbers into the cell phone’s speed dial. These numbers should include 911, emergency road service, your office, your buddy and your family members. It also is a good idea to keep a cell phone charging adaptor in your car for emergency situations.

Don’t be a statistic. Implement these common sense tips for a safer selling season. Safety Guide Available The N.C. Real Estate Safety Council and N.C. Real Estate Commission have developed a Real Estate Agent Safety Guide. To download a free copy online, visit http://www.ncrec.state.nc.us/brochures/Safetyguide.pdf.