As an escort, you may have many issues that are essential to the success of your career as a professional escort. Issues such as marketing, establishing fair rates, developing your list of services, keeping track of your client list and maintaining proper paperwork for your business are all important elements that can help to ensure the success of your business. However, one other concern that dwarves any other is escort safety. The success of your business is based on your ability to protect yourself from physical harm, legal issues and disease.

One of the first steps to escort’s personal safety is screening your clients. Not all clients are who they say they are. It is wise to always ask for a name and phone number when setting up the first appointment with a new client. As soon as you book the appointment, call your client back on the number provided to ensure that he (or she) has given you correct information. Additionally, you can easily conduct a reverse phone look-up for the number provided by doing an Internet search on various websites like Whocallsme.com. (However, some cell numbers are difficult to get information about unless you subscribe to a cell look-up service.) Another way to screen your clients is to ask for a job title and place of employment. Someone who is in law enforcement doesn’t usually have a good enough cover to endure this check. While it’s important to screen your clients, it’s also important to remember that many of your clients expect your utmost discretion. Many prefer to remain anonymous. Attempt to find a happy medium that keeps you safe, but that also provides them with the security of discretion.

Many escorts find themselves in difficult (and potentially unsafe) situations. It’s important to have a plan to get yourself out of a threatening situation quickly and efficiently. Sometimes a client may be drunk or high or just plain creepy. Never stay in a situation where the client is any of these. Here are some ways you may avoid the situation:

• Slip out by telling your client you must use the restroom or while they are getting you a drink.
• Use the restroom. After being in the restroom for 10 to 15 minutes, come out and explain to your client that you’re sick. You can use the excuse that you’ve got a stomach bug, “female problems” or food poisoning.
• Fake an emergency phone call. Download a fake phone call app to your phone and set it up for a certain time that coincides with your appointment. Try a few of the many "fake call" apps available for iPhone and Adnroid, or arrange for a friend to call you 10 minutes after your appointment is scheduled to start. Explain to your client that there is an emergency with your mom or sister and leave immediately.

Always refund your client’s money, and leave the situation as soon as possible, giving the client as little time as possible to remark about you leaving.

If you’re working with an agency, the odds are that you will be provided with some security through a driver or guard. If you’re working on your own, it’s wise to hire driver for when you go on outcalls. After meeting with your client (and deciding that it’s safe), call your driver within 10 minutes to let him know everything is alright. Establish the rule with your driver that if you don’t call him, he knows that he needs to intervene. Consider hiring bouncers who work in strip clubs to work as your driver. They are already accustomed to adult-oriented enterprises.

Even if you can hire a driver (and, especially if you can’t), you may need some personal protection that you carry with you into an appointment. Some escorts carry pepper spray (or mace), while others choose a firearm or taser gun. The most important thing is to know how to effectively use your weapon. If you fumble with it as you try to use it, it will not be effective for protection.

Your phone is a protective device. You can call or text for help, as long as the situation allows it.

Many escorts take self-defense classes in order to be able to physically protect themselves. A small-framed escort is never a match for a much larger, stronger client, however, knowing some stealth self-defense moves can give the element of surprise and provide you with a chance to escape a dangerous situation.

It’s not only personal security that you must worry about as an escort. Your health safety is at risk every time you meet with a client. It’s important to always be safe when engaging in any kind of physical contact with a client. Here are some tips:

• Casually look at your client’s genitals. As you’re exploring him (or her) through foreplay, look for bumps, sores or anything else that looks abnormal.
• Look for cold sores on your client’s mouth. If you see any sores or scars, refuse to kiss him or her. Herpes is not something you wish to contract from your client.
• Always insist on your client showering prior to any contact. Showering with the client is nearly always appreciated by the client as well, and it gives you a chance to make sure he/she is well cleaned. Showering does not protect against all diseases and does not help in the prevention of diseases such as HIV, but cleaning does prevent many bacterial infections that may be passed on via skin-on-skin contact.
• Unless bareback performance is your selling poing, sex should always be performed with a condom.
• If you allow the client to perform oral sex on you, make sure he/she has washed his/her mouth first as part of your preliminary hygiene routine.
• Take a shower yourself after you have performed with the client. You will probably wish to wait for the client to leave if they don’t want to take a shower after. Don’t forget to use the mouth wash.
• Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases quarterly. It’s better to catch something early, if possible.
• Get vaccinated for Hepatitis B. It’s better to be safe than sorry.