Dating can be fun, but you do have to sensible when going on your first date, even your second and third. If you meet someone new, whether it be via a friend, in a social gathering or online you must always be safe. Below are a list of tips that will enable you to hopefully have a great first date while remaining safe .

It is rare that your mother or aunt is the matchmaker these days. A large  percentage of matchmaking occurs online. Dating websites offer an opportunity to  meet others while remaining anonymous and, in the initial stages, that is  probably a good idea. Your mother or aunt or friend may know the person very  well. Times were different. Online dating is a different scenario all together.  There is no mother vetting and it is up to you to make the determination. Is it  safe or not? Guys, this is a two way street. I dated one crazy and that was more  than enough. Just a disclaimer, I have been in a relationship for almost 19  years. I had to do a lot of research for this article, and I feel your pain.

When online dating, use the services of a professional dating service. These  services should provide a confidential way to communicate with the other person  and obtain additional information about them prior to meeting them. Ask a lot of  questions. Ask about their children and past history. Are they free to talk with  you during the week or just at certain times. If they are unattached, meaning  not married or in a relationship, they should be available weekends and  evenings. That excludes the hours of work and sleep. In the case of some men,  that would be not during football or baseball games.

Tip One. Be sure you see a recent picture of them. In my research I found  that some people may not be totally honest in representing how they look. If  they don’t give a current photo, then is a crap shoot, and you are going in  blind.

Tip Two. By all means, meet in a public place. A romantic meeting in the park  sounds great, but do you really want to meet in an isolated place, where your  screams wouldn’t be heard? The best idea is a coffee shop. There is no alcohol,  (more about that in a later tip) and usually lots of people.

Tip Three. Maintain your independence. Drive yourself or take a taxi to the  first meeting. You do not want to wind up trapped in a vehicle with someone that  you do not know and may not wind up liking. Or your date may not go the way you  had planned and the ride home may be very awkward. For whatever reason, you may  need to leave, so having your own transportation is a good idea. By driving  yourself, you can keep the date from knowing your address. The other person not  knowing where you live will come in handy in case he or she turns out to be a  stalker. Guys, stalkers aren’t just males, females have been known to engage in  the creepy sport as well.

Tip Four. Before leaving for the first date, tell someone, a friend or family  member where you are going and when you are expected back. If you have a cell  phone, take it with you.

Tip Five. Avoid alcohol on the first date. Alcohol clouds your judgment and  makes you sometimes do unfortunate things that you regret later. Just ask  Lindsay Lohan.

Tip Six. On the subject of drinks, it is good idea to keep your drink in  sight. Spiking the drink with date rape drugs has been known to happen and you  don’t want to wind up as the star on a porn site.

Tip Seven. When dating, be aware and listen to your instincts. If you are uncomfortable,  for any reason, get out. Make sure you are not being followed. If you feel that  you are being followed, don’t go directly home. Drive to a police or fire  station, hotel or emergency room. And don’t worry about parking in a designated  space, park near the door and get inside as quickly as possible. Cops and  firemen love damsels in distress. That why they are cops and firemen to help  people and impress girls.

Now that I have scared you. Go out and enjoy dating. Just remember the  tips.

Remember: Your safety is up to you.