How do I stay safe on a first date?
Public, daylight, someone knows where you are, your own transport. Everything else is detail.
None of this assumes the person is dangerous. It assumes you do not know yet, which is true of every first date anyone has ever been on. Done properly it takes ten minutes and does not make the evening feel like a security operation.
Before you go
Video call first, even for two minutes. It confirms the person matches the photos and it kills roughly every catfish scenario in one step. Someone who refuses a short video call before meeting has given you useful information.
Tell someone where you are going, who with, and when you expect to be home. Send them the profile link or a screenshot. Agree a time you will message them. If you would rather not involve a friend, most phones have a built-in location share you can switch on for a few hours.
Search their name and reverse-search a photo. It takes two minutes and occasionally saves you an entire evening.
Where to meet
Somewhere public, busy, and with staff. A cafe or a bar you already know, in daylight if you can. Choose the place yourself, and choose one that is not near your home — not because of drama, but because it means you can leave without anyone learning where you live.
Get there under your own steam and be able to leave under your own steam. Do not be picked up and do not be dropped off at your door on a first meeting.
While you are there
Keep your drink with you and keep your phone charged. Check in with your friend at the time you agreed, whether or not it is going well — a check-in that only happens when things are bad is not a system.
You are allowed to leave at any point, for any reason, including none. "I'm going to head off" is a complete sentence. You do not need a story and you do not need their agreement.
The bit that is specific to us
Think in advance about how much you want to be visibly on a date in that particular place, and pick accordingly. Somewhere you are already known and comfortable beats somewhere neutral.
If you are stealth or not out locally, choose a venue where being seen costs you nothing. That constraint is real and it is worth planning around rather than hoping.
Afterwards
Message your friend when you are home. If something went wrong, report it in the app while the detail is fresh — report first, then block. Blocking first sometimes takes the conversation with it.
If you were followed, threatened, or someone would not let you leave, that is a police matter and not an app matter, whatever anyone tells you.