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URGENT - Realtor Safety Tip - This Could Save Your Life!

Personal protection can be a touchy subject.

Personally, I'm a big fan of a Colt .45 semiautomatic pistol and a concealed carry permit. But I realize some people aren't comfortable with firearms. So, the next best option might be pepper spray. A third possibility is your car keys - that's right your car keys! And I don't mean the keys themselves (although they can be a formidable weapon), I'm talking about that little black thing with buttons that unlocks your car doors!

A while back, I got one of those forwarded emails with a safety tip in it and, of course, I sent it on to others. The tip was to keep your car keys by your bed at night and if you hear someone trying to break in, you can trigger your car alarm and hopefully scare them away.

It occurred to me that this would be a great idea for Realtors when holding open houses or showing a home to someone they don't know well. Just keep your car keys handy and if things start to get scary, trigger your car alarm and hopefully it will get someones attention and also deter whatever threat you may face. If it's a false alarm - no harm done - you put a sheepish grin on your face, and act like it was an accident.

By the way, it works!

I forwarded that email to several people I knew and one of them just sent this to me today!

"My daughter, who was in the tragic auto accident on Santa Fe last summer, had someone try to break into her townhouse 2 nights ago. She used her car keys to trigger her car alarm. She then heard someone run away from her front door at 3:00 AM. We got the idea to use the car alarm from you, so you may have saved a life. Thanks so much!!!"

Please feel free to Re-Blog this or even copy and paste - I don't care.

I just think it's important to reach as many people as possible.

UPDATE: One comment reminded me of a great book regarding survival in criminal situations: "The Gift of Fear"

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Posted by Mike Hendren, Your Castle Rock Realtor® on 04/17/2009 07:07 PM

Comments (23)

Personal Protection / Safety in the ActiveRain Channel

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Originally posted at: Thru Mikes Viewfinder: URGENT - Realtor Safety Tip - This Could Save Your Life!

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23 Comments on URGENT - Realtor Safety Tip - This Could Save Your Life!

APR

Mike, great idea. I hate to tell you, my Wrangler does not have that feature, heck, half the year the windows are in the back seat! At home I have the 95 pound mutt, so that is good. He sounds like he will rip you limb from limb if you step foot in the house.

That is great that your idea saved someone from a break in.

I should carry some spray or something, on my keychain perhaps. :(

Great advice. You did save a life. God Bless you.

cool blog! I carry to my friend. .357. 100 rounds in glove box, just incase some space ship lands and I get attacked by a lot of little green dudes trying to perform surgeries on me and stuff.

the key thing is a good idea. I'll mention that to my wife!

Mike, that's a really great safety tip. We can never be too safe out there. Thanks for the post.

Hi Mike,

I've always done this at open houses - kept my keys with me to trigger the alarm if I needed to. I never thought to pass the word, it just made me feel better. Thanks for letting others know about the idea. My husband also teaches Self Defense for Women at the United Studios of Self Defense (USSD) and they have locations all over Colorado, California and other states.

Is it snowing down there as hard as it is up in Denver??

Fantastic, Mike! I had never thought of this, and it's a terrific, and effective, idea. Thank you for sharing this.

Gretchen - I'm in Woodland Park, and have over 2 feet so far - it's still snowing....

Debi

This isn't something that would ever occur to me- thank you for the great suggestion. I'll pass it along.

Mike,

It is always good to be prepared. One of our agents in Santa Fe was acosted at gunpoint last year by a woman as she was showing her homes. Taken to the bank and forced to withdraw funds. Even though she passed a note to the teller the teller didn't believe it. The agent was able to run away as they headed out the bank doors.

Last week a man came in to another brokers office in town and said he wanted a woman realtor to show him homes. When the floor agent asked to his drivers license to make a copy - he refused and said he worked for the FBI and couldn't give out his personal information. He left and our association issued a warning.

We all need to be careful at all times.

That is a great idea. Especially at night and for somebody trying to break in your home or car

Hey Mike!

Funny I came across this today, we had someone break into a real estate agency here the other day. Knowing these things can save your life!

-Lisa

Mike - That a fabulous idea about the car key. I don't think I need it at home. I have a big dog that barks as soon as somebody gets near my walkway. The car key is great for Open House especially in a big house on big property when you are by yourself and a stranger comes in.

Thanks for all the comments - Stay safe out there!

Hi Andrea - Maybe your dog would like to go to other homes with you - Lots of new territory to mark! :-)

Angella - That tip wasn't original with me but I'm sure glad it helped someone!

Greg - I used to live in Texas and, down there, you're NAKED if you're not armed! :-) Yep, whatever it takes to prevent those "unplanned" experimental surgeries!

Dan and Amy - The main thing is to be aware of what is going on around you, all the time. There's a great book called "The Gift of Fear" that talks about being a survivor in those kinds of situations.

Gretchen - It sounds like you're pretty prepared, especially mentally. Pass the word. About a foot of snow, so far, in Castle Pines North.

Debi - I hope you never need it, but it's always good to have a plan.

Victoria - Those are two scary stories and just more proof of how important it is to be prepared for the worst even though it rarely happens to you.

Russ - Yes, and this isn't just for the girls - us guys get mugged and robbed too!

Lisa - There are lots of bad people out there and we need to be ready to stop them.

Rosalinda - You'll probably never need it, but it's peace of mind, too.

Hi Mike!
Wow...that is just too cool! I will pass this on to our agents...it is a great idea! (I am not sure my keys will connect with my car that far away...but I am sure for many it will!)

It pays to be safe at all times -- never know what lurks around the corner. Thanks for the tip.

APR

Good trick to know! I'm also a fan of a Colt .45. Unfortunately in CA you have to know some one directly related to the president to get a permit. If you are lucky enough to get one, you have to map out a special route, because in some areas even with the permit no guns are allowed (except for police officers and criminals) OK it's late, I'm ranting.

Maybe I should move to CO...I know a good realtor there.

I do like the Colt .45 or the S&W .357 plan, but the others sound interesting as well. I do cary a firearm on the floor of the car as I do go into some rough hoods. I do have a carry permit...

Your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN...

This is a great tip that all of us unarmed agents. Thanks.

Paula - Even fi the car alarm doesn't go off, a key in the eye will still slow down most people.

Bob - You're right and awareness is a huge step in keeping yourself out of trouble.

Kathleen - I understand. There are some places in the country where they make it difficult for you to protect yourself. As Great Britain and Australia have proved, though, the crooks will always be armed no matter what the law says! Come on out to Colorado - we'll find you a great house at a great price and I'll throw in the pistol and permit training for no extra charge! :-)

Michael - In these uncertain times, we all need to be prepared for literally anything and everything. It CAN happen to anyone at anytime.

Tom - Pass it around - it might help someone, someday.

APR

Mike, Ha! thank you. I would take you up on your offer but I'm worried that If I leave CA there will be so much "LEFT" here that it will fall into the ocean.

PS: 1st deer at 11, so probably could pass the permit test...

Hi Kathleen. 1st deer at 11?!? You are awesome! The sheriff here would probably just go ahead and GIVE you a permit without the normally required training! Ha!

APR

I encountered a squatter last month. I so need a concealed weapon permit and a colt .45 ;)

Renee, I don't know how Nevada / Vegas is about concealed carry, but come on out to Colorado and we'll get you fixed up! :-)

Mike

I took a short self defense class for women many years ago, and they taught us a car keys trick. Hold individual keys flat between your fingers, facing out as a knife blade, for gouging or scraping across the face of an attacker. Add the car alarm element and car keys are a GREAT WEAPON for those of us unwilling or able to carry another variety of concealed weapon! GREAT POST!

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Mike Hendren, Your Castle Rock Realtor®

Castle Pines North, CO

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Address: 7501 Village Square Dr., Suite #106, Castle Rock, CO, 80108

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