Have you considered online dating but wonder how you can safely go from online to in-person? Online singles dating sites work well to help you meet that special someone, but always remember these steps to remain safe when it's time to meet in person.

• Choose a date carefully. Don't accept every invitation you receive to meet in person. Wait for someone you feel a connection with.
  

• E-mail and chat online with your chosen candidate extensively before deciding to meet. Speak on the phone, too. Make sure your conversations are about more than just the weather - discuss your goals, families and hobbies. If your potential date avoids anything other than superficial subjects, they may not be serious or worse - they could be up to no good.

• Have a first, short meeting a in a busy, public place. Perhaps at a local coffee house, or similar. If you start with a full-blown dinner date and immediately decide your date is not for you, you are stuck suffering through an entire evening. A quick initial meeting lets you decide if you are interested in meeting again without too much commitment. And foul play is less likely to occur in a busy public place.

• Arrange ahead of time for a friend to call you partway through your date. Have a code word prearranged that your date won't recognize as a red flag - for example, if your friend asks "how's it going," you can answer "terrific" if it really is, or "peachy" as a code word that really means "save me!" Your friend will then know to come to the rescue, but your date won't realize you've called for the cavalry.

• Most importantly, use your common sense! If your date suggests something odd or suspicious, don't do it. If you are uncomfortable, don't wait - leave right then. Staying safe is your first priority.
  

Reminders:

• Don't rush, take your time arranging an in person date
• Remain open-minded but cautious
• Don't forget to have fun!
• Never go to a date's home the first time you meet
• Make sure your friends and family know where you'll be