How to Be Safe on a Blind Date

Co-authored by John Keegan and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: September 30, 2021 References

Getting set up on a blind date is pretty exciting, and your potential new romance might leave you feeling giddy and delighted. However, meeting someone new always comes with a little bit of risk, even if they’re a friend of a friend. Read through these tips to learn how you can stay safe to focus on having a great time with your blind date.

1

Look up your date online.

Google their name just to see what pops up. Try to get their last name before you meet up with them so you can do a more in-depth search. Look for their social media pages or any news articles that you can find about them to see if they’re really who they say they are.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you find them on social media and their pictures match up, that’s a good sign. If you can’t find anything about them or some sketchy stuff about them pops up, that’s a red flag.
- Feel free to ask your date for their social media, too. That way, you can get a sense of who they are and see who they're connected with.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  John Keegan
  Dating Coach
  Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.}

2

Tell a friend where you’re going.

Give them the address and the timeframe that you’ll be there. Keep your phone handy so you can call a friend or send a text if you need to. Ask your friend to check up on you at the end of the night to make sure you’ve made it home safely.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors
Go to source}
- You could even tell a few people where you’re going just to be safe.

3

Meet in a crowded, well-lit place.

A coffee shop or a restaurant are good choices. A bar, a park, or a shopping center also work. Don’t invite your date over to your home, and don’t go to their home, either. The more people you’re around, the better.^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors
Go to source}^{[5]
X
Expert Source

John Keegan
Dating Coach
Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.}
- If you want to feel more comfortable on your date, pick a place you’re familiar with. That way, if you need to leave quickly, you’ll know exactly where to go.
- Meeting up in the afternoon is usually safer than meeting up in the evening time. Try to get together when it’s still light out for extra safety.

4

Arrange your own transportation.

Don’t rely on your date to pick you up or drop you off. Either take your own car or download a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft on your phone. Public transportation is fine, but make sure you check the schedule before you leave—some busses and trains stop running after a certain point.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors
Go to source}
- Never give your address to a blind date to come and pick you up. If they end up being not so nice, they now know where you live. ^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  John Keegan
  Dating Coach
  Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.}

5

Carry pepper spray with you just in case.

It’s a good defense weapon to have on your person. Slide it into your pocket or your purse and keep it with you throughout the night. If you ever feel threatened, just showing it to a potential attacker is usually enough to get them to back off.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Always practice using your pepper spray somewhere safe before you go out on a date. Read your user manual to learn how to point, aim, and shoot your pepper spray so it hits the target.

6

Go out with friends for your first date.

Suggest a group date so you feel more comfortable. If your blind date is a friend of a friend, ask your mutual acquaintance to organize a fun double date. You can all meet up at a restaurant or get coffee together so you can meet your blind date around other people.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- This is also a great way to get to know someone in a more casual setting. It takes the pressure off of both of you so you can focus on having a good time.

7

Keep your food and drink within eyesight.

Never leave your date alone with anything of yours. Unfortunately, there are certain drugs that people use to spike food and drinks that are virtually tasteless. Try to finish up your food and drink before you head off to the bathroom if you can.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Similarly, never take an open drink from your date unless you saw the bartender pour it.

8

Go easy on alcohol.

Try not to drink so much that you get drunk. You’ll want to keep your wits about you on a first date with someone new. It’s fine to have a few glasses of wine to calm your nerves, but stay away from the hard stuff for now.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- If your date pressures you to drink more than you want to, that’s a red flag. Firmly tell them no and then leave the date ASAP.

9

Don’t give out your personal information.

Get to know your date, but don’t divulge too much. Don’t tell your date your home address or the exact place that you work until you know them a bit better. It's extremely suspicious if your date pressures you for your phone number, asks for financial assistance, or wants to know your credit card number or social security number.^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
Largest anti-sexual assault organization in the US providing support and advocacy for survivors
Go to source}

10

Trust your gut.

If something feels weird, don’t ignore it. When we get “gut feelings,” it’s actually our subconscious minds picking up on something we aren’t aware of. If you show up to the date and you get a bad feeling, don’t be afraid to make an excuse and leave.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- You could have a friend call you and pretend to have an emergency, or you could simply tell your date that something urgent came up and you have to go.
- If you feel like your life is in danger, call emergency services right away.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I practice safe dating?

John Keegan
Dating Coach
John Keegan is a dating coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. He runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health.

John Keegan

Dating Coach

Expert Answer

The number one rule is: never just have someone come over to your house. It doesn’t matter if you have pictures of him or have been talkin over the phone for a while: always meet them in person at a cafe, a bar, or any kind of public space. Never just go right home with someone.
Question

How can I be safe online dating?

John Keegan
Dating Coach
John Keegan is a dating coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. He runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health.

John Keegan

Dating Coach

Expert Answer

Depending on the level of faith you need, you can just ask them for their social media profiles to get more information. Facebook and LinkedIn are good social media sites to ask for, so that you can see that they are a real person with real connections.