Know the signs

I try. Sadly, those people don't seem to stay away from me.

Good advice as long you also realize toxic people will argue with you and call it expressing their feelings. The trick is figuring out who is what. And sometimes, even without intending too, you're the toxic person. That being said if you find yourself being toxic around a person or persons it's probably best to avoid those people as well. Avoid people who bring out the worst in you.