Here are the 10 best tips on online dating safety and advice to help you make the right choices and protect you from harm.

1. Don’t let him pick you up from your home, office or workplace. Arrange to meet in a busy public place. Avoid any secluded areas such as parks. If possible, try to double-date or go out with a group of people you know.

2. Don’t give him your home or work phone number, give him your cell phone number instead.

3. Go “Dutch treat” by paying your part or half of the lunch or dinner check. This way you won’t feel obligated in any way. Don’t arrange a date to get a free meal,

4. Do not drink any alcohol at a first meeting. Besides it not being good for you (it’s a neurotoxin) it will seriously affect your reasoning and judgment and lessen your inhibitions. You need to be fully aware for safety’s sake at this meeting.

5. Use your own car to get to the meeting place and make sure you have plenty of gas. Try to park in a busy place with lots of people around. Do not go to meet someone where their car is parked. Parking next to someone’s van can be worse, since women can be pulled into them easily and the sliding door slammed shut.

6. Some men may claim they are religious or are a Christian to further their case for being a safe date. These claims may be false. Even if you’ve met someone through a Christian dating service online or other religious dating service be on guard. Use your own questioning to find out whether someone is truthful or not. For example ask what their favorite bible passage is?

7. Make sure not to reveal your home address or work address. If the meeting has gone well and you feel safe and want to see him again, then arrange for a second date and take it from there.

8. Listen to your intuition. If something doesn’t feel just right, it probably isn’t. If this is the first date and you know right at the beginning or early in the date that something isn’t quite right or doesn’t feel right, then make a quick excuse and leave immediately. If you can’t think of an excuse, say you think you have food poisoning and feel like throwing up and it’s getting worse and say you’re sorry and leave. This is better than being the victim of a predator.

9. Always let a friend or someone you know exactly where you’re going and who you’ll be meeting with including any email addresses or phone numbers you have for the date. If possible arrange a time to call a friend and check in. Tell your date you’re meeting friends later and do so if possible. If you don’t call or appear than friends can call you on your cell phone or call the police or whatever you’ve decide in advance is appropriate. Have 911 programmed into your cell phone.

10. Finally always remain aware of your surroundings and be on alert. Even if you’re having a great time and the chemistry is great, it’s a good idea to remain alert the whole evening. Many con artists are very charming, persuasive and can win you over easily.