Hooking Up? Here Are 7 Tips to Make Sure You're Always Safe

Whether it's your best friend, your roommate, or someone else you're close to, always have a go-to pal that you can share your location with pre-hookup so that someone trusted always knows where you're at in case of an emergency. If you have an iPhone, you can do this via iMessage and choose to share your location for one hour, until the end of the day, or indefinitely. If you don't have an iPhone, you can still do this using Google Maps.

Even if you share your location, your friends won't necessarily be monitoring your every move. So if you have the opportunity, keep them posted on what's happening. A simple text giving them a heads up of where you are or where you're heading with the person you're hooking up with is always smart. Also, let them know your hookup's info! First names, last names, and even an Instagram account is helpful — that way, your friends know exactly who you're hanging out with. If you don't know your partner's name or the part of town/campus you're at, re-evaluate the situation. You should never feel weird about pausing a hookup to ask for more details and make sure you feel 100 percent comfortable with the situation. And just as you checked in on your way over, shoot your friends a message letting them know when you leave or if you won't be coming home for the night.

You can't always rely on other people to have protection, so make sure you're protecting yourself by carrying your own condoms. Your sexual health should be your top priority, and you should feel empowered to take matters into your own hands. Not to mention, bringing and using your own condoms ensures your hookup partner stays safe, too.

Condoms are great and all, but even they don't protect you 100 percent of the time. That's why getting tested and knowing your HIV and STI status is always a great precaution before hooking up with someone. You should feel comfortable and confident communicating your sexual health status to your partner before you hook up, and you should feel just as comfortable asking their status, too, before taking things further.

Rally your crew to walk with you or pick you up from somewhere. You should never walk home alone at night or in the wee hours of the morning, especially if you live in a remote area, so work with your friends to create a buddy system, and stick to it.

If you're meeting a potential hookup out at a bar or restaurant, always keep an eye on any drink you order, and don't accept a drink that you didn't see the bartender prepare and hand to you. You should maintain this same awareness even if go to someone's house or apartment to hook up. Watch your drink being made closely so that you know exactly what's in it and can be sure nothing suspicious was slipped in. Resources like Undercover Colors can also help you test your drinks for drug tampering.

This may sound like a no-brainer, but always listen to your gut instinct — you have it for a reason. If you're with a potential hookup and something feels off or the vibe just isn't there, it's totally OK to say, "Sorry, this isn't working for me," and leave without feeling guilty. At the end of the day, you and your safety are your first priority.