| As the owner of a dating directory I feel | | | | travel with a friend. Even though it may be more |
| compelled to share with my readers 10 safety | | | | convenient for you to be picked up, don't accept |
| tips that I have created to make your online | | | | the offer. This isn't about being independent, it is |
| dating experience joyful, exciting and safe from | | | | about staying safe.7. Let a friend know where |
| harm:1. Look for a reputable dating site. Just | | | | you are and who you will be with. Arrange a |
| because you are paying a hefty monthly fee | | | | check-in time during the date. A phone call or text |
| doesn't mean that a site is reputable. Speak to | | | | message will be an alert or an all- clear.8. If the |
| your friends and others and ask if their | | | | chemistry is right and you feel like you are falling |
| experiences have been successful. Past success is | | | | in love on the first date, think again! Never go |
| usually a good predictor for the future.2. Once | | | | home with your date and don't agree to let him |
| you have found the dating site that you want to | | | | follow you home.9. Watch the booze. Drinking too |
| work with decide how much you want to share in | | | | much will make you vulnerable physically and |
| your profile. There is a reason why they are | | | | emotionally. Keep your wits about you at all times. |
| called "personals". People share their personal | | | | With little or no inhibition you are putting yourself |
| business with others, but be careful not to | | | | in a compromising and potentially dangerous |
| expose too much too soon.3. Always be discreet | | | | position. And that goes for party drugs too!10. |
| the first time around. There will be plenty of | | | | Remember safety 1st. Although statistically online |
| opportunity for you to open up your heart and | | | | dating is safe, there are are still danger signs to |
| life story. Remember you can always edit your | | | | pay attention to. Be suspicious, if you must. Be |
| profile.4. Remember you have a right to privacy. | | | | inquisitive. Know when to trust your instincts and |
| Respond in a responsible way to inquiries. | | | | call an end to a date. Never act desperate. It may |
| Everyone tries to make themselves look good in | | | | be wiser to go home alone than to stick around |
| an email. It's real life that really matters. Maintain | | | | with a stranger who doesn't interest you.Finding |
| your privacy until you are ready to share.5. Use | | | | love can be an exciting beginning to a special |
| caution. I will say it again, use caution when you | | | | relationship. Feeling love is even more special. |
| share your information. Pay close attention to | | | | Be careful and play it smart.Janet Reiss, LCSW is |
| how much the other person is open to revealing | | | | a Certified Social Worker in New York State. |
| who they are. Someone who is unable to or | | | | When not working as a Clinical Manager at a |
| unwilling to offer up answers to simple facts | | | | community hospital or in her private practice in |
| about themselves may not be the one for you. | | | | Long Island, Janet is an entrepeneur. Her website |
| Move on!6. When you finally decide to meet, meet | | | | attracts many singles looking for the link to love. |
| in a public place. Take your own transportation or | | | | |