Staying Safe with Pepper Spray Technologies

The "foot fetish creep" is back in action again. He started calling on Arizona real estate agents in 2014 but more recently is targeting the women in the Houston area with phone inquiries that, at first blush, seem legitimate but quickly turn provocative. When this serial caller asks female agents to take off their shoes to boost cell phone reception, it's a clear signal that something is not right.

However, most often, potential threats to an agent's safety are more ambiguous and Realtors should be prepared with a defense plan. Pepper spray is the most commonly carried self-defense solution among agents, but this technology is only valuable when it is convenient to carry, kept secure when not in use, and is part of a comprehensive safety plan.

Agents never know when or where they might face a dangerous situation, so a pepper spray technology should be comfortably accessible while not arousing undue attention from clients. Luckily, there are a number of fashionably disguised pepper sprays resembling items that might be carried in a pocket or a handbag. For instance, the popular keychain-style pepper spray is not likely to provoke alarm with clients. Even more clever, some pepper sprays have the appearance of a pen or lipstick, which are discreet and casual to carry. The gel by SABRE is especially handy in close quarters, such as at a home showing, as is has no airborne particles when deployed.

When carrying pepper spray from home showings to late client meetings, the last thing an agent wants is for it to accidentally discharge. There are still some pepper sprays on the market that do not have safety features to prevent accidents, so it is essential to have the product on hand. Safe canister-style pepper sprays either have a flip-top that must be lifted before spraying or a sliding mechanism that releases the spray button. The best covert spray technologies, such as the lipstick or pen styles, have a safety top to avert mishaps. Agents should feel confident that their pepper spray possesses one of these security features before incorporating it into their defense plan.

A solid safety plan starts with knowing how to identify a threatening situation and, if necessary, utilize a pepper spray safely. The leading pepper spray technology manufacturer SABRE makes this easy with their Civilian Safety Awareness Program. The one-day program is taught in-person by instructors located around the country. The course covers how to identify, avoid, or mitigate dangerous situations, as well as effective pepper spray response strategies.

For agents who don't have time to take the whole class, SABRE delivers a free instructional video with each of their pepper spray products. Knowing when and how to use pepper spray expertly can be pivotal to whether or not a safety threat is averted.

Pepper spray technologies enable Realtors to be prepared for a potentially dangerous situation and effectively respond to an attacker with the critical element of surprise. The keys to an effective pepper spray defense plan are convenient accessibility, canister security, and knowledge about safe deployment. For more information on how to prepare for a threatening event and the types of pepper spray products available, please visit the SABRE website.