I just noticed that a bike I bought had the front tire put on backwards. Is it safe just to switch the wheel around or do I have to take the tire off and flip it? Basically I'm curious to know if the quick release lever has to be on the left side of the bike or can I flip the wheel around and have it on the right side?
No reason at all why you can't flip the front wheel.
Just take out the QR and put it in the other side.
If there is a magnet for a speedo then that will need moving as well.
The only thing if there is a label on the rim this will look odd?
Ride hard or ride home alone!
Is it a directional tyre or are you just going on the tread pattern? if it's directional it will have an arrow on the sidewall, unless it's a very technical tyre or you do extreme off road, it probably wont matter much which way it rotates.
It doesn't really matter which side the qr lever goes on the front, but the convention is on the left because this is the side for the rear.
Also make sure you don't have disc brakes. That would make things tough.