Dating Safety: Use these Tips to Stay Safe on a Date

When going on a first date with someone new, it's fine to hope you'll have a wonderful time, and the person you're on the date with will turn out to be just as wonderful. But, if the person you have the date with is someone you don't know very well, it's also important to keep your safety in mind.

Whether you're male or female, here are some precautions you should take when going on that first date.

Choose a Public Place for Your Date

No romantic walks through a moonlit park, or picnics on a deserted beach, for your first date. Choose a public place, like a restaurant, movie theater, or party.

And there's no rule that says your date has to take place at night. A daylight meeting at a coffee house, or a weekend lunch at your favorite diner, can make for a great first date.

Meet Your Date There

There are two very good reasons for providing your own transportation to and from the meeting place.

First, you should be cautious about letting someone you don't know well know where you live. If you're date picks you up, they'll know where you live, which could turn out to be dangerous later on if things don't work out. Taking your own car to the meeting place means you don't have to give your date your address.

Secondly, having your own car means you can leave at any time, and don't have to depend on your date, or the timely arrival of a taxi cab, to get your home. Having your own transportation gives you the perfect escape if the date turns sour.

Tell a Friend

You should never go out on a first date without telling someone where you're going and who you're going with and, if possible, when you expect to be home. As an added precaution, you could arrange to call that person at certain times during your date. That way, if you miss a "check-in," they'll know something's wrong.

Date in a Group

There's safety in numbers. If possible, double date with a couple you already know. Or, if you and a group of friends are going to the movies or out to dinner, invite the person you're interested in to come along. Not only is this safer, you might also feel more comfortable, outgoing, and relaxed, which will help you make a good impression on your date.

Stay Alert

If drinking alcohol on your first date, be sure not to over-indulge. Drinking alcohol can lower your inhibitions, leading you to do things you might regret later. Alcohol can also make you less alert to possible warning signs that you're in danger, and less able to defend yourself if necessary.

Also, never leave your drink unattended. Date rape drugs are an unfortunate fact of life. If you leave your soda or cocktail at the table while you make a quick trip to the bathroom, it would give an unscrupulous date plenty of time to slip something into it.

Trust Your Instincts

Trust your instincts. If you have a feeling in your gut that something isn't right, and you're pretty sure it's more than just nerves, trust that feeling.

Taking safety precautions on a first date might not seem very romantic. But romance isn't nearly as important as keeping yourself safe.