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Too late, I bought it now.
...Just kidding. :P

But yeah, I guess it depends where you live and how dangerous it is. Personally, I go over to people's home to get used stuff and I wouldn't even think that anyone would actually stab me. As for the computer dying on you, there's not much you can do to know before it happens.

Here in Seattle the cops actually encourage people to do craigslist transactions in police stations to make sure nothing shady happens. See if that is an option in your area.

As for making sure the computer actually works? I don't have much advice to offer there unfortunately :/

Always take a friend. No sense in taking a risk, even if the likelihood is statistically low.

If you don't go alone, and meet in a public place with a decent amount of other people around (Unless of course every single person in your city is being paid to assist with your demise, of course...) you should be fine.

The only thing I'd worry about is whether the PC is actually the PC he says it is. Ya know, correct specs, quality and proprly treated. Make to sure to ask why he is selling it. If he gives a faulty reason, red flag, there may actually be something wrong with the PC.

Good luck, you'll be fine. Maybe... Hopefully... Probably...

That depends. How attached to your kidneys are you?