Before meeting anyone, do a basic vetting. If they have almost no info on their profile, no social media links, and are being super vague about themselves, that's a red flag. Real people have digital footprints.

Always meet in public first. I don't care how good the conversation is or how hot their pics are. First meeting is always in a public place with other people around. A coffee shop, bar, or restaurant. No exceptions.

Tell someone where you're going. Text a friend the person's name, their profile info, and where you're meeting. Set up a check-in time. If your friend doesn't hear from you by a certain time, they know something's wrong.

Trust your gut completely. If something feels off about the person, even if you can't explain why, listen to that feeling. Make an excuse and leave. Don't worry about being rude.

Meet somewhere you know or can easily leave from. Don't let them pick you up or drive you somewhere. Have your own transportation whether that's your car, Uber, or public transit. You need to be able to leave whenever you want.

Watch your drinks. Don't let someone buy you a drink that you don't see the bartender make. Don't leave your drink unattended. If you need to use the bathroom, get a new drink when you come back.

Share your location. If you do decide to go home with someone, share your real-time location with a friend. Both iPhone and Android have this feature. Keep it on until you leave the next day.

The first hookup should be at their place, not yours. You don't want someone knowing where you live until you trust them a bit more. It's easier for you to leave their place than to make them leave yours if things get weird.

Don't get super drunk or high with someone you just met. Keep yourself aware enough to make good decisions and get out of a situation if needed. You can have fun without being completely wasted.

Protection is mandatory. No glove, no love. Period. Don't let anyone pressure you into skipping protection. If someone gets pushy about it, that's a huge red flag and you should leave.

Be careful what personal info you share. Don't give out your last name, exact address, workplace details, or financial info to someone you just met. Keep some mystery until you actually know them.

If you're going to someone's place, take a picture of their apartment building or house number and send it to your friend. In an emergency, people will know exactly where you are.

Set boundaries before things get physical. Be clear about what you are and aren't comfortable with. If someone doesn't respect your boundaries, stop everything and leave immediately.

Charge your phone before going out. You need battery life in case of emergency. Bring a portable charger if you're going to be out for a while.

For women especially: keep your drink count in mind, don't leave with someone if you feel too drunk, and seriously consider sharing your location. Unfortunately, women face more risk with hookups.

For men: yes, safety applies to you too. Don't assume you're automatically safe. People can rob you, assault you, or worse regardless of your gender.

If something goes wrong, don't be embarrassed to call for help. Call 911 if you're in immediate danger. Call your friend. Get yourself safe first, worry about everything else later.

The goal is to have fun safely. Most people you meet will be perfectly normal and fine. But it only takes one bad situation to seriously hurt you, so take these precautions seriously every single time.