Ready for a first date? Or early in your courtship? Remember these tips!

• Tell someone about your plans. One of the most critical steps is to let a trusted friend or family member know the details of your date: where you will meet, what Time, the agency’s phone number, etc. There are never too many details to share regarding your safety when it happens.
• Make sure your phone is fully charged and location settings are turned on. Before, during, and after your date, you want to make sure you have enough battery life to contact anyone for any reason. This includes turning on your location settings to ensure trusted family or friends can track your location. If you find yourself always on the move before a date, consider investing in a rechargeable phone case or portable charger to always be prepared.
• Take preventive defensive measures. A lot of people might think this is going too far, but when you're on a first date, it's a good move to have some pepper spray or mace in your purse in case you're attacked. Don't rely on this to save you, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
• Consider making your first date a double date. If you can, go out with at least one other friend or couple to keep an eye on each other in case someone accidentally takes a date rape drug or seems to have had too much to drink. This is also a great way to get a second opinion if you're having bad feelings from a date.
• Arrange your own transportation to and from your dates. Drive your own car, take public transportation, call a friend or use a ride-sharing app to pick you up. To ensure you get home safely, do not hitchhike or walk back with your date. This will let them know where you live and may lead to them taking you somewhere else.
• Always meet in public places. When planning your first in-person date, remember to always meet in a public place. If you feel any pressure to meet in a private place, stress the importance of wanting to meet in a public place for the first few dates. If they continue to push the topic, personally re-evaluate the meeting and/or end the conversation entirely.
• Never meet an online date in their car, in a parking lot, at a motel/hotel, or anywhere you can't leave quickly and safely. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, use your intuition to get out of the situation. Do not hesitate! You may also consider carrying a can of pepper spray, just in case.
• Stay alert. Pay attention to the body language and facial expressions of the people you meet.
• Always watch your food and drinks. Never leave your food and/or drinks unattended. If you must leave the table, place a napkin on your plate. If you notice anyone at or around the table acting suspiciously, don't be apologetic about asking for new wine. Date rape drugs are easy to use and do not change the taste or appearance of the drink. Keeping an eye on your drinks is the best way to stay safe.
• Stay sober or make sure you watch how much you drink. Don't drink alcohol or at least limit the amount you drink. Being damaged is an easy way to make yourself vulnerable and put yourself in an unsafe situation.
• Always have enough cash or credit card to get home. You never know what might happen, and having some cash or electronic funds available to deal with any unexpected situations is the best way to feel comfortable on a date.
• Trust your gut. If your gut tells you something is wrong, trust them. If you think someone is lying to you, you're probably right. If you ignore it, you may regret it later. Wandering around and trying to make it feel right is not a risk worth taking.
• Have your “Gotta go!” excuses ready. Don't be afraid to leave the date prematurely if the person makes you uncomfortable in any way. Prepare your "leave early" excuse before the date and practice what you would say if you thought he or she was too creepy and you wanted to leave early. It's better not to spend more time face-to-face with the person who makes you feel bad and to get out of there as quickly as possible.
• Report all suspicious and offensive behavior. If you feel uncomfortable or disrespected while interacting with someone on a dating site or in person, be sure to report them through the appropriate channels in the appropriate app where you first made contact. At aCoupleDating, members can "report a member" from the member's profile. Select an appropriate reason from the list and provide a clear description of the behavior. Additionally, you can prevent members from communicating with you and preventing them from viewing your profile.
• Don’t violate your values and ground rules. This includes not going home with him or her or inviting them into your home. Don't have sex until you're ready. Never let them force you to go somewhere or do something you are not comfortable with at any time.