Every one of us has a first date horror story. Those stories usually involve the man you're meeting not looking at all like he did on his picture or what you could infer from his description. Or maybe he had really bad breath and wore a toupee that did not match his real hair.

Those stories are funny enough, but those aren't horror stories. Here are a few tips to make sure your first date doesn't turn into a TRUE horror story.

Pick the place. Choose a well-lit, very public meeting spot. Arrange to meet at a coffee shop, or if it's summer and you have to option, a public festival, or street sale. Not only will there be lots of people around, but it is a good occasion to see someone outside of what may be his natural environment.

Tell a Friend. I don't mean call a friend to gossip about having a date -- you can do that too, of course! -- But rather to tell them where you are going and who you are meeting. Make sure to tell your friend or family member at what time you expect to be home. Remember to call them after your date so they don't worry unnecessarily.

Plan to Receive a Phone Call. Ask that friend or family member you just told about your date to call you about 45 minutes into your date. It won't be very much of an inconvenience to either you or your date, and should the meeting prove awkward, it will give you an opportunity to exit gracefully, pretending some emergency.

Avoid Alcohol. A glass of wine or a beer are always fun, but avoid them on a first date. Alcohol, even just a little bit, will impair your judgment and lower your inhibitions, which can lead to complications which I don't need to explain. If you like him, there'll be plenty of opportunities at later dates to have a drink together. If you don't, then you can have a glass of wine by yourself when you get home.

These safety tips are as easy to follow as they are discreet. They will not make your date believe you are thinking that he's a creep. The goal of the first date is nothing more than to establish whether it is worth it or nor to have a second date. While, as the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression, do not go overboard. Smile, be polite, enjoy yourself and above all, be yourself!