Dating Safety: Seven Valentines Day Safety Tips

If this is a first date, or you have meet someone online and you decided that Valentine’s Day was going to be your first in person “real” date then you should follow these simple rules. But you still have to always be on your guard when going out with someone you barely know.

1.  Arrange to meet your date -Never allow your date to pick you up from your home. In fact, you shouldn’t share your home address period!
2. Meet in a public place -For a first meeting, always meet in a public place where other people are close by. You may always want to consider going out with a group of people.
3. Go Dutch- Pay half your bill so neither you nor your date feels like you’re obligated to “return” the favor.
4. Don’t drink - Alcohol affects your judgment and lessens your inhibitions. If you are of legal age and going to drink, keep your drink in sight at all times. It is always recommended to not drink to the point of intoxication. We suggest you don’t drink at all. Even as a young adult of non-legal age, you should watch any beverage that you drink. Teen Dance Clubs and parties are always prime places for someone to attempt to place a “date-rape” drug in your drink.
5. Use your own car - Provide your own transportation to your public meeting place and make sure you have more than enough for gas.
6. Don’t assume your date is safe - Don’t let your guard down. Tell a friend where you'll be and when you'll be back. And never assume a guy/gal is safe just because he/she claims to be religious or a gentleman.
7. Don’t let him/her know where you live - If you want to see him/her again, arrange a second date and take it from there. One date doesn’t guarantee he/she's not a creep.

 Remember the Fives These five can get you into trouble.

1. Avoid secluded areas
2. Stay in a public place where people are around. Avoid secluded areas like parks.
3. Listen to your gut!
4. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Leave immediately!
5. Give your date your cell phone number. It’s safer to give out your cell number than your home number. Why? Because someone can easily find out your home address online by entering your home number! This can usually be done in less than 20 seconds.