I took an enormous number of risks... and nothing bad happened. I had an incredible run of good times and a few dull or awkward ones.
I went to hotels booked via dayuse. I wonder if anyone uses that site except for hookups.
Develop a very sensitive radar for anything you don't like, and stop chatting immediately if there's something however small that raises a warning sign. Things like anger... any of it. Lots of men are very grumpy on those sites as their chances are small and they're very focused on having to pay (see above). I just don't bother with that - it's supposed to be fun, not placating grumps. Anything that is trying to pressure or manipulate you. You will find that there are men who get possessive, idiots who 'neg' and men who judge you even on hook up sites. But there are plenty who don't.
Decide on your boundaries and stick to them. They will all try to push your boundaries. I didn't drop people who asked once, but I did for asking twice for the same thing once I'd said no.
I never blocked anyone for dick pics. I did feel on a hook up site I was ok with it - different on a normal dating site.
I went for brutal honesty in my profile - I said that I was overweight, over 50, very picky, wouldn't respond to most approaches (there were hundreds so it's impossible to do so) and that I didn't do exclusives. But also sweetened it with a couple of welcoming sentences.
Honestly, I met some really great and very interesting men. Some great book, music and film recs too.