Meeting up with your online friend is exciting and nerve-wracking. That's why it's important to remember that even though this is "real life," don't forget online dating safety.

In order to have a fun and safe first face-to-face encounter, keep these tips in mind:

• Only meet up when you are fully ready to do so. You'll know in your gut when you are ready to plan a date with someone you've been communicating with online. If you are leery or concerned, hold off a little longer and get to know the person a little bit better.
• Choose a public location. Having someone come to your house to pick you up, or meeting them at their house is never a good idea. It opens up way too many opportunities for potential dangers.
• Plan to meet during the day in a public space. Whether it's a mall, a busy park or a bustling café, be smart and sensible.
• Do not bring your date home or vice versa. No matter how fun your date was, or how enthralling your online buddy turns out to be, do not go home with them on a first date. It is easy for someone to maintain a charming façade during the course of one date. Instead, extend the date by going to a movie or museum or some other activity. Then, at the end of the night, plan a second date. Listen to your instincts. If you're getting negative or creepy vibes from your date, chances are that your intuition is right. In this scenario be extremely cautious and rush the date along.

While it may sound silly, it's important to notify your friends and family of your online dating efforts. If you are uncomfortable with sharing this information, at least choose one person to mention it to, especially if you are planning a face-to-face encounter. You can always tell a close friend that you are going on a blind date. You don't have to necessarily say where you met this date. Just let them know when the date is and where you're going. If you are comfortable revealing information about your love life, give out details about your situation to as many people as possible. Tell your friends or close relatives who your current prospects are and a little bit of background information on them. Let them know when and where you'll be meeting them. While online dating is safe and beneficial, exercising caution is important.

Also, sharing information with others gives you an outsider's perspective. If your best friend doesn't like the sounds of one of your potential dates, it may help you notice red flags. Maybe one of your relatives or friends has useful online dating experience to share. Regardless, getting others involved is only useful.

After chatting with someone online for a considerable amount of time, you may want to speak to the person on the phone. Hearing the person's voice is more intimate and will help you decide if you are ready to meet up. People are generally more themselves on the phone, and you can garner a better understanding of someone's personality while talking over the phone. Only set up a call when you are ready to do so.

Additionally, practice online dating safety by following these tips:

• Ask the person for his or her phone number. Before calling, make sure the phone number is legitimate. Check to see if it is from an unknown area code or really a 800 number.
• Block your number for added safety.
• Be yourself. Ask questions that you may have been wondering about during your online chats.
• Don't reveal too much information. Remember, while you may feel close with this person, you have never met him or her face-to-face. Don't be too trusting.
• When it is time to hang up, decide whether or not you want to give this person your phone number so he or she can call you back. Only give out your number if you feel safe doing so.

In the age of digital media, pictures are much easier to post online. While photos offer an idea of what your potential date might look like, it's important to be cautious. Or, the photo might be altered or very old. While looks aren't everything, everyone has standards. So, to practice online dating safety, do not trust pictures 100 percent. In terms of your own photograph, there are some things to be wary of. Before carelessly sending your photo, or photos, out to online strangers, follow these tips:

1. Make sure your photograph is not too revealing. While you may or may not look like a supermodel, photos showing too much skin or exhibiting sexy poses aren't going to attract your soul mate. Even if you are only interested in more casual dating, racy pictures send the wrong message.
2. Check the background objects in your photograph. If your car, street sign, house number or some other similar item is revealed in your photo, take a new one.
3. Choose a simple, sophisticated photo. Don't try to alter your appearance because this will only lead to trouble if you do plan to meet up with this person.
4. Be completely sure that you are happy with sending this photo to a stranger. If you have any doubt, hold off.