When you're working: Carry only non-valuable business items (except for your cell phone) when you are showing property, hosting an open house, or simply out and about. Don't wear expensive jewelry of watches, or appear to be carrying large sums of money.

If you carry a purse, keep it locked in the trunk of your car during showings.

At property showings, don't leave your own briefcase, purse, laptop or mobile phone in view. (But of course you should have your phone with you at all times.) Wear clothing with pockets so that you can carry your car keys with you,.

In your office: Keep all windows and counters clear and free of signs, posters and paint so that people can see in. Make sure that all unused doors and windows are always locked, especially if they are out of sight and earshot. Lock office doors after hours, and consider getting a door that unlocks with a buzzer so that you can decide who to let in.

In your car: Keep your car locked at all times-even when you're in it-with purses, briefcases, gym bags and other apparent valuables out of sight.

In your home: Check the quality of locks on all your entry doors. For real security, each door should have a deadbolt lock with a full one-inch bolt in addition to existing locksets. If you have a door with glass panels within three feet of the lock, install a double-cylinder deadbolt, which. requires a key on both sides so that a burglar cannot break the glass and unlock the door. If a door has conventional glass panels, consider replacing them with shatterproof glass or with polycarbonate material.

Protect Your Clients Against Crime: When you're showing a home, remind your clients that strangers will be walking through their home. Suggest that they put any valuables-including prescription drugs-in a secure hiding place.

At an open house, be alert to the pattern of visitors' arrivals, especially near the end of showing hours. In some areas, group of thieves will show up together near the end of the open house and, while a string of "potential buyers" distracts the REALTOR®, the rest of the group walks through the house, stealing any valuables they come across.

Finally, when you leave a client's property, whether after an open house or a standard showing, make sure that all doors and windows are locked. Thieves commonly use open houses to scout for valuables and possible points of entry, then return after the agent leaves.

Let your clients know that you will take all of the above safety precautions, but that when they return home, they should immediately verify that all doors are locked and all valuables accounted for.

Source: Nevada County Board of REALTORS® (CA)

This article is part of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS'® 2006 REALTOR® Safety Week Kit.