Resources to Help REALTORS® Stay Safe In-Person and Online this REALTOR® Safety Month
As a REALTOR®, your work can take you just about anywhere. From a busy open house to a vacant property with limited cellphone service, you’re constantly meeting new people, working independently, handling sensitive client information, and increasingly using digital tools to get the job done.
A few simple habits, some preparation and knowing what resources are available can go a long way; but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. CREA also offers courses and resources to help you stay prepared.
September is REALTOR® Safety Month, and in honour of that we’re highlighting a few CREA resources that can help REALTORS® learn new safety strategies and/or refresh what they already know.
Jump Ahead
Does someone know where you are?
CREA’s 2025 Member Safety Survey found REALTORS® may find themselves meeting new or prospective clients alone, showing vacant properties with limited cellphone service, and navigating other situations where being prepared can make a difference. We learned that many REALTORS® are already taking precautions, with 75% of survey respondents said they let a spouse, friend or family member know their location before showing a home.
If you’re not already, consider asking yourself these three questions before your next appointment.
- Does someone know where I’m going?
- Do I have a plan if something doesn’t feel right?
- What would I do if I couldn’t use my phone?
This is a simple practice that just may make the difference if something unplanned happens, and you need to make a quick decision to stay safe.
What supports are available for your team?
Personal habits are only part of the picture. Brokers, managers and teams all have a role to play in creating a safer working environment. Knowing what procedures and supports are available to you is an important part of being prepared.
If you’re unsure about your brokerage’s approach to safety, ask your broker of record or an appropriate colleague about the protocols, resources and contacts you should know. Sharing practices that work for you, discussing potential risks with colleagues and keeping safety on the agenda can help raise awareness across your team.
Have you utilized the free safety resources available to you?
Even if you’ve been in the business for years, it can be worthwhile to revisit your safety practices as technology, tools and ways of working evolve.
CREA offers two eLearning modules about REALTOR® safety, included as a part of your CREA membership, along with other written resources that you can refer to as needed.
Module 1: Navigating REALTOR® Safety
In this 30-minute module, REALTORS® will examine safety scenarios that REALTORS® may face and offers practical strategies to approach them.
By the end of this course, you'll be able to:
- understand the importance of safety in the real estate industry;
- recognize potential risks and hazards; and
- implement personal safety measures for yourself, your clients, and your team.
Module 2: Raising Cybersecurity Awareness
Not every safety risk happens face-to-face. Among survey respondents who reported having been the victim of a crime while working as a REALTOR®, nearly 22% said it happened through the phone or text, or otherwise online.
In this 45-minute module, REALTORS® will learn more about safeguarding themselves, their businesses, and their clients from cybersecurity threats.
- understand the landscape of cybersecurity threats and their implications;
- identify and mitigate risks associated with social media and virtual work;
- recognize different types of scams and fraud specific to the real estate industry;
- understand the importance of safety and security technology; and
- adopt safe practices in password hygiene, secure transactions and more.
By completing both modules, you’ll receive a REALTOR® Safety badge that can be shared on LinkedIn that demonstrates your commitment to a safe working environment.
New webinar covering AI risks and responsibilities
Artificial intelligence (AI) is creating new ways to work, communicate and create content. With new technology comes new responsibilities, though, as AI allows for more sophisticated phishing attempts, fraudulent content, and data misuse. It’s all a part of staying safe in an increasingly digital business.
To help REALTORS® engage with AI safely, CREA is developing updated learning content on the CREA Learning Hub. A new webinar, Understanding AI Risks and Responsible Use, hosted by Allison Glover from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security teaches participants about the opportunities and limitations of AI, emerging threats, and how to use AI more safely and responsibly, whilst protecting client and business information.
Using AI in your business? CREA’s new statement on Artificial Intelligence outlines key principles for responsible AI use and reminds REALTORS® that they remain accountable for the information, advice and services they provide to clients.
For more practical guidance, visit CREA’s Member Portal for answers to frequently asked questions about the use of AI by REALTORS® and boards and associations, including key considerations when using AI tools in your business.
REALTOR® Safety Month is a chance to take another look at how safety fits into your everyday work. Review the practices you already have in place, refresh your knowledge using the resources available to you, consider whether there are areas where you could be better prepared, and most importantly, share what you know with your colleagues so that everyone can be prepared and stay safe.
