safety and equipment

Question
What are the best precautions a first timer can take to remain safe and what are the basic equipment that a person needs to get started? Are there any brands or a certain type of equipment that you would recommend?

Answer
Melissa,
The best precaution a beginner climber can take is to enroll in a basic climbing class.  This can be done through a professional guide service, or most colleges and universities have student run "outdoor instruction" type of classes they offer.  You will occasionally find rock climbing clubs that offer instruction to new members.
I could write out the whole spiel that you would hear at a basic class, but that would take a very long time to complete.  If you want to "do it yourself" there is a book titled "How to Rock Climb" written by John Long, available at most outdoor retail shops that sell climbing gear. That can give you all the information a basic climbing class would give you.
The other way to learn climbing is by finding a friend who is safe and experianced and let them teach you.
As far as the gear is concerned, your first priority should be fit.  With the shoes and harness, you should try on a bunch of different brands and styles in order to find the one best suited for you.
For the other equipment, brand should not necessarily be a big part of your decision.  Your belay device should be something you are comfortable and competent using; so whatever you have learned on might be best for your first belay device.
For a first rope, talk to the salesperson about what you plan on doing. If you get a rope, I recomend a 10.5 or 11 millimeter diameter.  Those are the thicker climbing ropes and will last longer, especially if you are doing mostly toproping (which you will be doing.)  Look for ropes with slightly lower stretch/elongation; those ropes will work better in a toprope set up.
Carabiners are necessary for climbing.  Your belay carabiner should be a large locking 'biner.  Any other carabiners will be safer if they are locking, but the trade off is that locking carabiners are heavier and more expensive.  Most people have two or three other carabiners that can lock and 6 to 10 other non-locking carabiners for setting up top ropes.  Again, get proper instruction on how to use the equipment, either from a class or from a book.
Good Luck.
Frank