12 Dating Safety Tips

At modjes.com, the safety of our users is our topmost priority. Dating can be fun, or it can be a total nightmare.

When you meet a new romantic prospect, the last thing on your mind is taking safety precautions. We are here to remind you that whether you meet someone online or through mutual acquaintance, the reality is you are meeting a stranger.  Putting too much of yourself out there too fast can put you at physical risk.

Modjes.com does not conduct background checks on its members so we strongly urge you to use the tips below to create your own safety zone. While using our dating service, please keep in mind that you can block any member if you ever start to feel that safety is an issue. You can also report any member to us.  The information contained on this page should in no way be a substitute for your own best judgment.

1. COMMUNICATE YOUR PLANS WITH PEOPLE YOU TRUST

The first of the twelve dating safety tips. Always let people close to you know when you plan to go out on a date. They won’t know when to be worried should something go wrong unless you give them ample information — when to expect you home, where you are going, and who you’re going with (including your date’s name and phone number). If anything changes regarding your whereabouts during the course of your meeting, let them know right away.

2.  BRING YOUR CELL PHONE

Make sure your cell phone has plenty of battery so that you can call someone if you need to.

3. ALWAYS MAKE YOUR OWN TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Never ride with a stranger, even someone who you think you already know after chatting with them on the phone, email or online for quite some time. Instead, take your own transportation or ride a cab or Uber. This way you’re also not giving away your home or office address.

4. MEET IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Do not ever invite someone you hardly know over to your house or go over to theirs. Always meet in a public place during that location’s peak hours so that there will be many people around. This will reduce the likelihood of you being harmed physically, and if something does go wrong you’ll have plenty of witnesses around.

5. DON’T LEAVE YOUR FOOD OR DRINK UNATTENDED

Leaving your drink (or food) with someone you don’t know very well can lead to it being tampered with. Your date can easily slip a date rape drug into your drink so don’t accept a drink unless you open it yourself or watch it being prepared by a bartender.  Most date rape drugs are colorless and odorless, making detection difficult. They are used to reduce your ability to control situations and create memory loss. Pay attention to your food and drinks at all times during your date.  If you must leave to go to the restroom, order a fresh drink when you return to your table.

6. DON’T DRINK TOO MUCH, PERIOD.

It’s never a good idea to drink more than two alcoholic beverages while out with someone you don’t know very well. Drinking a couple of alcoholic drinks will inevitably calm your nerves, but having more than that could leave you vulnerable. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions and makes it easier for a potential predator to talk you into leaving a public place. This is one of the most important safety tips for dating, you will want to have your wits about you as much as you can. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to non-alcoholic beverages either.

7. LEAVE IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE

If you feel uncomfortable at any point with what your date is saying, doing or implying, go home.

8. DON’T GIVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Protect your contact information on any dating or social networking site.Think seriously about how much of your personal information you’re freely giving up every time you post, tweet or Instagram.  If using an online dating website, you can choose to have the individual respond to the site, rather than your email address, or you can set up an email address specifically for this purpose. Never share your personal information with someone you do not trust. Keep your address and financial information private until you truly know the person you are dating.

9. CARRY SOME PROTECTION

In the event that you get physically harmed, spraying pepper spray into your attacker’s eyes could lead to temporary blindness which could give you time to escape.

10. DON’T LIE

Don’t misrepresent yourself in your communications with your potential date such as sharing photos or other information that is untruthful, as this may make your date angry and perhaps lead to aggressive behavior.

11. GOOGLE THEM!

Pre-screen your date by Googling them. If you find some questionable information or just get a bad feeling, follow your gut feeling and cancel, immediately!

12.  TAKE FREE SELF-DEFENSE CLASSES

Learn self-defense techniques so that you are better prepared to protect yourself in case of an attack. Check to see if there are any free self-defense courses that are offered in your city by calling your local fire or police station.