In the society we live in now, we all know you can never be too careful. One time you need to be extra cautious is when you are going on a first date, with someone whom you may not know very well. With all the horror stories we here in the news there are a few simple steps, we as women, need to take to protect ourselves on first dates.

1) Do NOT let your date pick you up at your house. As you dont want someone you dont know very well having your personal address just yet. Do meet someplace public, like a theater, bowling alley, or a mall. By meeting in public you discourage any activity by your date that may be unsafe to you and cause you harm. No one is going to willingly do anything harmful in the presence of bystanders.

2) Do drive yourself to your date. By driving yourself you have the ability to leave if at anytime you begin to feel uncomfortable during the date. If you do not have a vehicle make sure you have money for a cab or bus ride home if at any time you feel the need to end the date early.

3) Never let your date get your drink for you. If they do get a drink for you make sure it is an unopened container (such as a sealed bottle or can). Never allow them to get you a poured drink, because there are just too many horror stories surrounding date rape drugs. If you do decide to drink alcoholic beverages, make sure you do not have too many, as you do not want to impair your judgment and land yourself in an unsafe situation.

4) Do NOT give your home phone number out on the first date. As home phone numbers can be reverse searched and with that your home address be given out. You MAY give out your cell phone number, as of right now, you can not do reverse lookups on those.

These are just a few of my rules for first dates. Of course this doesnt mean you can not have fun on your date, but you must be responsible. There are too many cases of missing women on the news to let yourself unknowingly become a victim. So, next time you are asked out remember these general rules, and you should have yourself a safe and fun date.