- Do not give out your home/street address before meeting with the buddy first.
- Meet in a public place where there are a lot of people around.
- Be sure to let someone close to you know where you will be, let them know you will text them upon arrival, and text them when you leave.
- Follow your instincts through your gut or still small voice. It never lies.
Additional Safety Tips:
- Bring a Friend: If possible, bring a friend or family member along to the first meeting.
- Public Transportation: Use public transportation or your own vehicle to get to and from the meeting place.
- Daylight Hours: Try to schedule meetups during daylight hours to ensure better visibility and safety.
- Check-In: Establish a check-in routine with a trusted person. Arrange to call or text them at a specific time during or after the meetup.
- Personal Belongings: Keep your personal belongings secure and within sight at all times.
- Safety Apps: Consider using a safety app that can share your location with trusted contacts in real-time.
- First Meeting: Limit the first meeting to a short duration to see how comfortable you feel with the other person.
- Meeting Details: Avoid discussing too many personal details during the initial meetings.
- Emergency Kit: Carry a small emergency kit that includes basic first-aid supplies and any necessary medications.
- Backup Plan: Have a backup plan in case the meeting does not go as expected, such as a pre-arranged excuse to leave.
Here are some suggestions to meet up:
- Coffee shop
- Restaurant
- Park
- Museum
- Farmer’s market
Wherever you meet, make sure there are a lot of people around.
Emergency Contacts:
- Keep emergency contacts easily accessible on your phone.
- Know the local emergency numbers and location of the nearest hospital or police station.
Communication Tools:
- Use a secure messaging app for communication until you feel comfortable sharing more personal contact details.
- Have your phone fully charged and carry a portable charger if possible.
Personal Information:
- Limit the amount of personal information you share initially. Build trust gradually.
- Avoid sharing sensitive details like financial information, home/street address, or personal schedules.
Trust Building:
- Start with small, less personal tasks to gauge the reliability and compatibility of your clutter buddy.
- Set clear boundaries and communicate your expectations early on.