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It's always important to date smartly and safely, regardless of how you first meet someone. Before you begin exchanging emails with other singles, please take a few minutes to review these online dating safety tips

1. Maintain your anonymity.

One of the safety benefits of online dating is the ability to take as long as you want getting to know a potential romantic partner, prior to providing any personal contact information. Please don't mention your full name, phone number or work or home location in your profile, or during initial email exchanges.

2. Trust your gut feelings and hunches.

When it comes to personal safety, your instincts that warn you about other people are almost always right. If someone seems too good to be true, or you get a "funny feeling" about a person with whom you are exchanging email, your instincts are cautioning you to consider moving on.

3. You always have the right to say "no".

It is never mandatory to reply to an email that makes you feel uncomfortable, or to agree to exchange phone numbers or meet someone for a date. You should never feel pressured to do anything you aren't ready for. If someone is pressuring you, please feel free to say "no," or to stop communicating with this person. There are plenty of other singles who will behave more respectfully.

4. Play it safe on a date.

You don't need to provide your last name, address or office location in order to meet someone for a date. Even home and work phone numbers can be traced to an address, so you may want to avoid providing these. Keep first dates short (lunch is a great first date) and agree to meet your date at a public place, during a busy time of the day. Arrive and leave using your own transportation. Stay sober so you can make thoughtful decisions as necessary. Bring your own phone and arrange a time that a friend should expect a call from you after the date is over. Or try one of MeetMeInNewJersey’s group dates. You will share dinner and laughs with 7 other people who have similar interests and feel safe on a “group blind date”. This also allows you several choices of whom you may want to continue a relationship with.

5. Err on the side of caution.

We rarely hear of people who regret the care they took in making important decisions, but all of us know someone who moved too quickly and wished they had been more careful. When in doubt about a dating choice, slow down and give yourself time to figure it out. Anyone worth dating—not to mention worthy of you—will be willing to give you the time and space you need to feel comfortable about your choices. If you're on a date and feel in any way unsafe, please don't worry about appearances. Leave immediately, or ask for help.

6. Be romantically responsible.

Although most of us want a lasting, loving romantic relationship, not everyone is the right someone for us. Don't fall in love for love's sake. Wait instead until you find a person who is a good friend and whom you can trust. Even if you sense that love might be happening, continue to make careful choices about the information you provide to a date. Be conservative regarding choices of physical and emotional intimacy. The right special someone will be well worth the wait!

6. Be romantically responsible.

Although most of us want a lasting, loving romantic relationship, not everyone is the right someone for us. Don't fall in love for love's sake. Wait instead until you find a person who is a good friend and whom you can trust. Even if you sense that love might be happening, continue to make careful choices about the information you provide to a date. Be conservative regarding choices of physical and emotional intimacy. The right special someone will be well worth the wait!