Mobile Devices Double As Halloween Safety Hubs

Halloween is synonymous with costumes and the over-consumption of candy, but it can also be a real fright fest for parents concerned about the safety of their miniature monsters, ghosts and goblins. Fortunately, today’s smartphones have a variety of features that, with a little advanced planning, can be combined to create a Halloween hub to help trick-or-treaters stay safe and give parents peace-of-mind.

“Mobile devices enhance our daily lives and keep people connected – and Halloween night is no exception,” said Nakeita Stewart, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Illinois. “There’s an array of basic, built-in functions, applications and accessories that can help promote safety.”

With Halloween fast approaching, U.S. Cellular reminds local families to consider the following:

Store Recent Shots: Plenty of pictures are taken of costume-clad kids to be shared with loved ones and on social media channels, but having current photos stored and readily available should a problem arise is critical. In addition to having a current photo of each child in regular clothing, before heading out on Halloween night, take and store individual shots of children in their costumes. If they are wearing masks or anything else that covers all or a portion of their faces, make sure to get photos of them with and without the masks on.

Track Trick-or-Treaters: Parents wanting to keep track of kids who are headed out without them can do so through location tracker apps, like Life360 (free), that enable users to monitor their kids’ physical locations in real-time. It also sends alerts when they leave or arrive at certain locations, like home or a friend’s house.
Set a Series of Reminders: Amid the excitement of trick-or-treating or Halloween parties, it’s easy for kids to lose track of time. Using the clock feature you can pre-set and label a series of different alarms on a child’s phone to remind them to periodically check-in and to ensure they don’t cut it too close when it comes to curfew.

BOOst Batteries: Beware certain applications can drain batteries quickly. If users suspect they will be using their phone more than usual, consider having them bring along a portable charger. External batteries are lightweight and easy to plug into multiple devices, allowing users to recharge a phone’s battery in their pocket, purse or trick-or-treat bag. There are also cell phone cases on the market that automatically charge the users’ smartphone without any extra cables, like the Mophie Powerstation.

Navigate through the Night: Strolling streets and walkways in the dark can be dangerous; don’t forget, smartphones have built-in flashlights.

Rely on Relay: Need a way to communicate reliably and securely with younger kids? Consider Relay – a walkie-talkie and GPS tracker. It’s durable, water-resistant, easy-to-use design allows kids to press one button to talk. They can talk with their friends' Relays, while also allowing parents to use the free smartphone app to respond to conversations and check their location. It's screen free to keep kids safe from online strangers.

To learn more, visit the local U.S. Cellular store, where knowledgeable associates can help consumers navigate the capabilities of mobile technology.