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Personal Safety Guide
Personal Safety Guide
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Choose what fits your budget:
BUDGET BUYER
The following are some personal safety products available for less than $25.
My Mobile Witness
Free
This Web-based service allows you to store images or text information of contacts or locations as a precautionary measure. Subscribers snap a picture with a camera phone or compose a message and send it to the service. When you find yourself in a dangerous situation, you can advise perpetrators that the information is already on record and available to law enforcement authorities.
Mini Magnetic Compact Alarms
$9.95
These compact wireless alarms detect the opening of protected doors or windows. The set includes four two-piece battery-operated alarms that can be easily installed with double-sided tape strips. When the door or window is opened and the magnetic connection broken, a chime or 90-decibel alarm sounds. There is an on/off switch to activate or deactivate the alarms.
Mace Pepper Spray Leather Plus With UV Dye
$12.95
This compact pepper spray canister is small enough to fit on a keychain or in a pocket, a purse, or your hand. It comes in a leather-like case and has a locking glow-in-the-dark cap that makes it easy to find and use in any environment. The spray also contains a UV dye that invisibly marks assailants to aid in identification.
Key Alert Personal Keychain Alarm With Flashlight
$14.90
Small and compact, this alarm can easily be concealed in your hand. There are two alarm modes and a built-in LED flashlight. If you slightly press the alarm button, the unit will emit a warning chirp. When the activation button is completely pressed, the unit sounds a continuous 118-decibel alarm until deactivated.
Door Stop Alarm
$16.95
This wedge-shaped alarm is easily installed behind any door to prevent intruders and alert you when someone tries to enter. The tip of the unit slips easily under the door. Its 120-decibel alarm sounds as soon as someone attempts to open the door or move the unit.
The Safety Minute
$19.95
This book by security analyst Robert Siciliano can help real estate professionals identify the personal safety risks in their careers, and implement appropriate response strategies. Topics covered include developing an office security plan, identifying potential predators, dressing and marketing safely and successfully, self defense, and more. The author also conducts security seminars.
MID-RANGE BUYER
Here are a few personal security solutions you can find between $25 and $100.
Red Cell Phone Stun Gun
$32.97
Resembling a standard cell phone, this stun gun will jolt an assailant with 800,000 volts of electricity. You can deactivate the safety switch and press the round button on the keypad to disable or disarm an attacker long enough to escape and summon for help.
AAA Adventurer Auto Emergency Safety Kit
$89.95
This kit is packed with many of the tools and accessories you'll need during a roadside breakdown or emergency. Items include battery booster cables, a tire air compressor with pressure gauge, a hand-charged LED flashlight, a reflective emergency triangle, an emergency whistle, a first aid kit, and some other basic tools.
REALTOR® NXT LockBox
Prices vary by area — contact your local association for more info
In addition to a host of standard functions, this "smartcard" lockbox from REALTOR Benefits® Partner SentriLock also has several security features. It has a LatchGard locking mechanism and cut-resistant shackle to prevent removal, tampering, and break-in. Also, where NXT Wireless service is available, the unit automatically transmits alerts in the event of vandalism, theft of the lockbox, or home intrusion.
HIGH-END BUYER
The following are a range of personal safety products that cost more than $100.
Real Estate Agent Safety Kit 500
$119
This is the company's deluxe safety kit for real estate professionals. The cell phone stun gun alarm has a pin to prevent the gun from being used against you. If the pin's removed, the gun is deactivated and a 100-decibel alarm sounds. The stun baton pepper spray attaches to a keychain and will emit a burst of pepper spray from the bottom of the baton. The ring can be worn as jewelry but contains several bursts of pepper spray.
6-in-1 Auto Safety Tool
$14.59 each (minimum order of 25 required)
This handy device can be distributed companywide or given to clients as a premium. The six-in-one tool has an LED flashlight, red LED warning flasher with removable magnetic base, a whistle, seat belt cutter, window glass hammer, and airbag spear. It can be imprinted with your local association or company name and REALTOR® logo.
Taser C2
$349.95
This model was specifically developed for use by consumers. It propels a set of wires and probes up to 15 feet to disable an attacker. The resulting jolt of electricity can penetrate up to two inches of clothing. A built-in laser can assist with aiming. The C2 can also be used as a direct-contact stun gun.
Learn More: Best Practices ׀ Photo Slideshow ׀ How Others Are Using It
Michael Antoniak is a journalist and technology expert with a focus on real estate applications. Antoniak also writes about real estate technology at his blog, RealTechTools. He can be contacted at antoniak@dtccom.net.
