Safety is important. In fact I believe online dating you can be paranoid. You can't trust anyone off the street. Especially if your in a big city.
It's always a good idea to do some research on someone you meet online. It is important to know who you are working with and what their background is. Doing a basic Google search can help you learn more about the person, such as their job, education, and past relationships. However, it is important to take anything you find on the internet with a grain of salt, as it may not be completely accurate.