how safe is downloading from a torrent site?

Depends. Some torrent sites have a rating/feedback system. Anything with a virus will usually get terrible feedback or get removed by administrators. So it's mostly safe.

Other than that, just about anything with a huge amount of seeders and leechers is typically safe.

In the last few months, I’ve noticed more and more infected torrents and torrent sites out there. The problem with securely downloading torrents is that many of the sites are based overseas or generally don’t get the benefit of mainstream security vetting. Here is one secure torrent site that offers safe torrent downloading.

Vertor is a new site that reworks the concept of torrenting. Most torrent search engines simply track and list as many public torrents as they can find. Vertor first downloads and scans any potential torrent to make sure it do not’t have any spyware, malware, or viruses. If the file is a video, Vertor will take a set of screen shots as well, so you can verify it is what you are looking for at a glance. Likewise with audio files, Vertor creates a short preview of each file so you can listen before committing to a download.

By first verifying all its torrents, you can feel a little bit safer when downloading torrents online. Of course, after downloading a torrent, it’s always wise to scan the output file before opening it, just in case.

Simple truth. No place where you share files with god knows who is safe. Any one who will tell you that torrents or any other place where you can get pirated downloads is safe, I would be very careful of them. Anytime you file share you are asking for a infection. Any time you file share there is a 70% chance you will get infected. If you care to risk that 30% chance that you will not, Go right ahead.