These key tips can apply to both men & women, & will help you create a safe environment for your first date

You’ve chatted online, gotten to know each other a little bit, and decided you want to take a chance on a first date. But regardless of how familiar you may have become online, you should always be cautious when meeting them for the first time. The online dating safety tips below will help you establish healthy boundaries and cultivate a comfortable setting to break the ice and (hopefully) have a good time!

Keep it Public

For your safety, save the invites to each other’s houses for a few dates down the road. A private first date is too big of a risk when you barely know who you’re meeting up with. 

Stick to public spots like coffee shops, restaurants, parks, bars, etc.—anywhere you’ll find a lot of other people around. While this doesn’t guarantee nothing will happen, it’ll certainly reduce the risk of things turning unsafe. And if they do, there will be plenty of people nearby who will see it, which will discourage anything truly serious from happening.

Get Yourself There & Back

As kind as the offer can be, it’s best not to rely on the other person for a ride there or home after your date. When you make your own way, whether by driving or using a rideshare service, you give yourself the freedom to leave whenever you like. If things get uncomfortable, unsafe, or you simply aren’t feeling the date and want to go home, you don’t want to be stuck without a ride. 

That’s another reason why it’s important to have your first date in a public place. If you took an Uber or Lyft to get there, you’ll be more likely to get a ride home much quicker than at a private residence or remote area. 

Tell a Friend or Loved One Your Plans

Always clue a trusted friend or family member into your plans when you’re setting up a date with someone you’ve never met. Tell them where you’ll be, what you’ll be doing, and how long you’re planning on doing it. 

Make sure you have an out, too. Let them know if you text them during the date that you’re uncomfortable and want to leave, they should call you and make up an excuse for you to ditch the date.

Don’t Share Too Much Personal Information

You’re going to be sharing stories, interests, and other things about yourself. That’s what first dates are all about. But don’t feel pressured to go into too much detail. There’s no need to share certain personal information right away. 

For example, there’s no need to tell them where you work. Instead, just tell them what you do. Also, rather than telling them where you live, you can give them the general area. If things go well, there will be plenty of time and opportunities to fill in the gaps later.

Drink Responsibly (or Not at All)

Bars are a popular spot for first dates, as they can range from casual to upscale, and a good drink or two can help ease the nerves. But when you’re meeting someone for the first time, you want to keep your wits about you.

If you’re okay with having a first date at a bar, set a drink limit for yourself going in, like one or two max. Or, you can always stay sober if you’ll feel safer that way. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable enough to open up and enjoy the date. If that means no drinking, then make it a dry one.

If Anything Feels Off, Don’t Be Afraid to Leave

If something doesn’t feel right or you simply don’t want to keep the date going, you’re under no obligation to stay. Trust your gut, play it safe, and do whatever you feel you need to do to protect yourself. 

Have a Discreet Way to Contact the Authorities

If something serious happens and you need to notify the police discreetly, calling 911 isn’t going to cut it, and text-to-911 won’t either. Text-to-911 isn’t available nationwide quite yet, and even if it was, it would take far too long to communicate what you need and where you are.

That’s where the Rescu app comes in. With Rescu, you can dispatch police, fire, or ambulance services to your current location anywhere in the US with just two taps on your smartphone or Apple Watch. No talking required. 

When you send an alert, Rescu’s private, UL-certified monitoring center will receive it and send help within seconds. You’ll also have the option to open a text chat with or call a dispatcher if the situation allows.

When your safety is at risk, Rescu empowers you to get help without saying a word and delivers the fastest response times on the market. It’s the perfect safety net to bring on a first date and wherever life takes you.