STAY SAFE ONLY THAT FIRST DATE

Meeting a possible partner is tricky enough without the added risk of danger. Here are tips to protect both your heart and yourself

WOMEN are hardwired to be nice – and it’s not always a good thing, says Joy Farrow.

In her many years in the police force in the US, she’s seen over and over again how the way women think about themselves – and others – can put them in danger.

That’s why the retired deputy sheriff and tech expert Laura Frombach decided to write the book Street Smart Safety for Women.

They want women to feel empowered and their book covers everything from honing your intuition and staying safe online to dealing with domestic abuse.

In this extract from their book they highlight important things to consider to ensure you stay safe when going on a first date.

TAKE the opportunity on that critical first date to register every element, not only for a potential partner, but for your personal safety. If something feels off or if your safety intuition blinks red, bail. This sounds harsh, but you don’t want to ignore things at this point that may become problematic or even dangerous further into a relationship. Here are the top 20 things to keep in mind.

1 LOCATION IS KEY Pick a place you’re familiar with and make sure you know where every exit is, including the back. If your date picks somewhere you’re not familiar with, go to the area beforehand and check it out. Go to the same place for the first few dates so you get to know the staff.

2 BE CONFIDENT AND HAVE FUN Dating is a skill, and the only way to develop it is to be self-assured and get out and do it. Having faith in yourself also makes you more fun to be around.