We’re in peak travelling season, which means many of you are probably getting ready to take off on an adventure before the weather cools. Whether you’re planning a road-trip to another city or an epic vacation to South America, one of the nice things about being single in 2016 is that you can take online dating with you thanks to location based dating apps.

I have a lot of single friends who swear by location based dating apps while they’re traveling. Using a location based app while abroad allows you to connect with other locals, meet new people and maybe even find romance. It’s also just fun and entertaining to see what the local single scene is like in another corner of the world. With that said, if you’re going to be using your favourite dating app while travelling, it’s important that you take certain precautions to stay safe.

1. Don’t treat the locals like your built in (free) tour guide.

Staying safe in another city or country starts by respecting the local people that you interact with. While that cute guy or girl that you met on an app might be totally game to show you around their city or provide local recommendations, keep in mind that they’re online for the same reason most people are: to find a date. In very touristy places, it’s not totally uncommon to see people list in their profile “looking for a date, not to be your tour guide.” Be respectful of this. If you’re also looking for a date – go for it! Have fun! But, if you’re more interested in touring around their city, invest the time and money in hiring a professional guide or going on a guided tour. Don’t use the people you meet online as your personal concierges.

2. Choose safe public meeting spots.

While an abandoned railyard on the edge of town may technically be classified as a “public place” it isn’t safe. Instead, if you plan on meeting up with someone that you’ve met on an app, pick a spot that’s actually public – like a cafe, bar or another location where they’ll be other people around and that isn’t too far from where you’re staying. That way if you decide to cut things short, it will be an easy exit. Regardless of whether you’re at home or travelling, this is a good dating rule – period.

3. Don’t meet at someone’s house.

To further the point above, if you’ve never met someone before there’s no reason why your first date should be at their home – especially if you’re in a city that you’re not 100% familiar with. Even if the plan for the night is a (hopefully) a steamy hook-up, meet at a bar, pub or cafe first to gage whether you feel comfortable with this person. While someone may seem cool online, when you meet them in person they may read differently. You might also discover that the chemistry just isn’t there. Instead of putting yourself in a compromising position where they have the upper hand, meet in a neutral public place so you can make a clear headed decision. If you’ve suggested a public place and the other person insists that you come over to theirs, bid this person sayonara. There’s plenty of fish in the sea and your personal safety comes first!

4. Tell someone where you’re going.

If you’re travelling with friends, let someone in your group know who you’re going out with and where you’re meeting. You can even have them check in with you sometime during the evening to make sure everything is going according to plan. Even better – suggest meeting your date at a local bar where you and your friends will already be hanging out. Anyone who isn’t a creepy weirdo, shouldn’t have a problem with this. If you’re travelling alone, make sure to also tell someone where you’re going and with whom. For example, text your friend to give them the heads up that you’re going on a date (you can even take a screenshot of their profile if you want!) It probably won’t end up being an issue, but when you’re travelling solo it’s always good to let people know your whereabouts just in case something comes up.

5. Trust your intuition and use common sense.

If a situation or person makes you feel uncomfortable, listen to what your intuition is telling you. There’s no hard and fast rule that says you need to make use of your favourite location based dating app just because you’re in a new city. If something feels off, it probably is. Trust your gut. No vacation fling is worth sacrificing your personal safety for.