Dating Safety Tips

While dating is fun and exciting, it’s still important to keep your safety in mind when meeting with people you don’t know very well.

Keep your safety first and foremost. Please see below dating safety tips to keep in mind when meeting a person you don't know for your first date and as you are looking for that special person. You are the best judge of your safety. The dating safety tips are not intended to replace your own personal judgment.

1. Chat by phone or video chat before the date. Talking by phone or video chat allows you to pick up on certain verbal cues and gives you the chance to feel out the individual better before the first meeting.

2. Let a family member or friend know your plans. Let a family member or friend know where and when you plan to go on your date. If you continue your date in another place you hadn’t planned on, text a family member or friend to let them know your new location. Consider texting or calling your family member or friend halfway through the date or when you get home to check-in.

3. Provide your own transportation to and from the date - drive yourself or use a rideshare app. It's important that you are in control of your own transportation to and from the date so that you can leave whenever you want and do not have to rely on your date in case you start feeling uncomfortable.

4. Keep your cellphone fully charged.

5. Meet in a public place that has people around and stay in a public place. Avoid meeting someone you don’t know well in your home, apartment, or workplace. Meet at a coffee shop, restaurant, bar, or place that has people around.

6. Don't give out too much personal information. Don't give out personal information, such as including your: social security number, credit card details, bank information, or home address.

7. Be Aware of Red Flags. People can misrepresent themselves and may not be whom they say they are this includes scammers, predators, persons looking to manipulate or take advantage of your trust.

Is very intimate, claims to be in love very quickly in your communication, immediately wants to be in a relationship, or wants to move quickly together.
Acts possessive of you.
Ask for money, loan, gift cards, or has sad personal hardship to pull at your heartstrings of financial hardship.
Tries to get your personal information under the disguise of sending gifts.
Will not give you a phone call or connect via video chat.

8. Don't leave your food or drinks unattended.

9. Stay Sober. Limit your alcohol consumption so you are fully alert.

10. Trust your gut - If you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and feel free to leave a date or cut off communication with whoever is making you feel unsafe.