The recent brutal murder of a real estate agent working at an open house in McKinney, Texas brings the issue of personal safety to the forefront. It is a sad fact that many of the activities necessary for successful real estate investing, such as showing properties to potential buyers or renters, have some degree of risk. You may often be alone with people you don’t know, creating a potentially hazardous situation.

While statistics by occupation have not been kept, real estate agents have been murdered, sexually assaulted, robbed, and carjacked in the course of doing business. It’s logical that a real estate investor could fall victim to the same crimes, but with awareness and by taking some simple precautions, you can protect yourself.

Keep these safety tips in mind:

-Whenever possible, meet prospective buyers and sellers in a public place. Fast food restaurants are great places to review paperwork. The meeting also gives you a chance to find out as much as you can about the prospect, including where they work, what they do, how much they earn, and so on. This helps you qualify the individual as a potential buyer or seller as well as giving you a sense of whether they are legitimate or not.

-Don’t assume that because the prospective client is a woman that she means no harm. Increasingly, women are being used to set up a victim for a male perpetrator—or women are actually committing the crimes. Be equally cautious with both males and females.

-Always carry a cell phone and keep it accessible. Carry it in your hand, clip it to your belt, or keep it in a pocket—don’t leave it in the car or let it drop to the bottom of your purse or briefcase. Program emergency numbers into your speed dial. Keep your cell phone charged. Carry a car charger to use if necessary.

-Always take your own car when showing or inspecting property, and lock it when you leave it, even if you’re only going to be a few steps away. Also, keep it locked at all times while driving.

-When showing a property, follow rather than lead the prospect through the house, and don’t let him get between you and the door. Avoid going into the basement or other confined areas with someone you don’t know well.

-Let someone know where you’ll be. If you are inspecting or showing properties, or meeting with prospects, be sure someone knows where you are and when you expect to return. Have a plan ready in case you don’t return on schedule.

-Carry pepper spray and know how to use it. Consider taking a personal safety course so you’ll know what to do if you’re attacked.

-Dress for safety. Don’t wear expensive jewelry. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather. If your car breaks down or you need to escape a dangerous situation on foot, you may find yourself exposed to harsh weather conditions for an extended period, so keep a coat handy in the winter. Choose shoes that will allow you to move quickly if necessary.