Is VLC 2.2.4 for Mac OS X, safe to download and install on my MacBook Pro

VLC Player is extremely respected and is safe for your mac ONLY if you download it from the source website:

https://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html

1. Visit: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html
2. Click the "Download VLC" button
3. Once downloaded, double-click the "vlc-2.2.4.dmg" file to mount to disk image
4. In the resulting Finder window, drag the VLC.app to the shortcut of the "Applications" folder
5. Double-click the "Applications" folder shortcut
6. Right-click VLC and choose "Open"
7. Click "Open" when you are warned that it is not from the App Store

Note that you may be prompted to authenticate as an administrator when copying to the Applications folder. Once installed and opened in that manner it will function normally when opened thereafter.

If you followed FishingAddicts instructions, then 4 and 5 would become self-evident. Dragging the application icon over the (link) to the Applications folder, simply installs it there. Double-clicking the Application icon in the image opens that folder, where you can follow steps 6 and 7. Once you have done these steps, VLC is available to you via the Launchpad from your Dock. Eject the VLC installer from your Desktop.