Footloose Dating's guide to staying safe when dating online.

1. First rule - Never give out any sensitive information online to anyone unless you are 100% sure you trust them. Don't give any potential daters your address, or even your phone number until you are pretty well into your online conversations with them. No communication conducted through Footloose Dating reveals your contact details. Think about setting up a user name and separate email address - very easy with someone like Yahoo or Hotmail - rather than risk being pestered on your work or home email. Do not even hint as to your financial affairs. Unfortunately, there are some crooks about who are after your identity and or cash. Use your instincts, as you would when meeting anyone new in any situation.
2. If you do find someone you would like to meet, get together in a well lit, populated place and make sure you can get home safely. Meet in the day or early evening if possible so you are not stuck for transport home. It is not sensible to have your date come to your home until you get to know one another. Tell a friend where you are going and when you expect to get home. If love grabs you instantly and you decide to stay out later than intended, let your friend know so they don't worry. Maybe even get them to phone/text you an hour or so into the date so you have an excuse to leave it it&'s a disaster.
3. Ladies please, I'm sure you don't need to be told, but don't dress too indecently on your first date unless you are really on the pull. A lot of the men using internet dating sites are only after one thing and unless you are too, be careful! Don't be flash. Leave the bling and diamond studded mobile at home, at least on the first date.
4. Most daters are nice, ordinary people looking for companionship and a good time but the odd bad apple will always be around so stay alert and have fun.
5. We have designed our UK dating site specially to appeal to those of us in our 30s, 40s and 50s who may be new to computers and the internet and may be a bit nervous. It's easy to find your way around the site and even if this is all new to you, it shouldn't take long to get the hang of things. Though we are mainly looking to introduce singletons in the 40+ age bracket, Footloose Dating is open to all ages. There are so many mature singles in the country looking for companionship that you have a good chance of finding some really good new friends. Don't let the fact that you have passed the first flush of youth be a deterrent - Go for it!