"We no longer live in a safe world, and bad guys don't wear a banner that reads 'I'm a bad guy,'" she says. "Salespeople I talk to don't think it will happen to them."

People often let their guard down for the wrong reasons, she says.

"They see someone well dressed, driving a nice car, using proper English, and being polite, and they're not suspicious," Simpson says. "But sometimes we need to be suspicious--or at least guarded."

If you don't feel comfortable with someone, Simpson says, trust your gut feeling.

"If something doesn't feel right, don't go into the house," she says.

In Emert's case, coworkers say he had expressed reluctance to do the showing, according to The Seattle Times.

Simpson recommends that you make up any excuse rather than go into a house with someone who makes you uncomfortable.

"Say that you just missed a call and have to phone the office," Simpson says.

The same thing goes if you're already showing a house when someone begins to act suspiciously.

"Tell the person that you have to step outside to make a phone call," she says.

But the best safety tip is to avoid the situation in the first place, Simpson says.

She recommends the buddy system--real estate practitioners holding open houses and showings together.

"Some people scoff at the idea, but it's safer to do that," she says. "I tell everyone, 'Don't meet someone at a vacant house if you've never met that person before.'"

Simpson also recommends keeping a sign-out book at your office with the customer's name, time you leave, projected time of return, and a list of properties being shown.

Here are some of her other safety tips:

• If you work at home, always leave the customer's name and a list of properties to be shown.
• Periodically check in with your office or home.Have someone call your cell phone during the showing. Say, for example, "I'm showing 3805 Kenwood to Mr. Smith. I'll be back in the office by 4 p.m."
• Create a distress code language, something to let someone know you may have a problem.
• Trust your instincts. If you don't feel comfortable showing a home alone, take someone with you or cancel the showing.

For more information on safety, visit onerealtorplace.com and search "safety tips."

A video on personal safety for real estate practitioners is available from the Women's Council of REALTORS^® for $39.95. To order, phone (outside California) 888/750-3343; (in California) 213/739-8227. Ask for REALTORS^® Safety Video, #444-49.

10- Second to Personal Safety

Inattention is sometimes the key factor in personal attacks, say security experts. On the positive side, it's a factor you can do something about, says Night Owl/Vector Security in Landover, Md. You can reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim by taking just 10 seconds to focus your attention:

Arriving at an open house or showing Take two seconds to look around. Does everything seem normal, or is there questionable activity? Are you parked in a well-lit, visible location?

Getting out of your car Take two seconds to see whether there are any suspicious people around. Are people acting normally? Do you know exactly where you're going?

Approaching the property Take two seconds as you walk to the property. Is there normal activity, or are things unusually quiet? Are there any hazards in the parking lot or street? Is anyone loitering nearby?

At the door Take two seconds to look inside. Do things look normal? Are you comfortable walking in? Is somebody following you in?

As you enter Take two seconds to see whether anything inside is out of place. Is there anybody there who shouldn't be?

During the 10 seconds, also pay attention to yourself: Do you feel uneasy? What's your inner voice saying? Always trust your instincts, security experts advise. By paying attention to your surroundings, you'll have the opportunity to see potential danger and avoid it.

SOURCE: Night Owl/Vector Security, Landover, Md.