Cell Phones Can Play Key Role in Keeping Kids Safe on Halloween

As Trick-or-Treating draws closer, a cell phone is the perfect accessory to any costume to help families stay connected and keep kids safe this Halloween. In light of the season, U.S. Cellular is offering easy safety tips for parents and their children.

Specific ways a parent can use a cell phone on Halloween can depend on their child’s age. For those with small children, it could be as simple as pinning a slip of paper with their cell phone number, along with the child’s name and address, inside a pocket or onto the costume, in case the child gets separated from the group. Parents are also encouraged to consider the following free apps to help make sure their family has a safe Halloween.

Life 360: Ultimate Safety App: Life 360 turns your phone into the ultimate safety device.  It lets you know where your family is located, where they’ve been and what is nearby. It also offers family members the ability to send an alert if they need help. This app is available in Google Play.

Red Panic Button: This app allows trick-or-treaters the option to simply press a button to automatically send out a text message with their exact coordinates on Google™ Maps to family members. So when mom texts and asks, “Where are you?” a child can quickly and easily send her a map giving the exact location. The app is available in the Amazon Appstore and in Google Play. 

FBI child ID: Every year, thousands of children go missing, but the FBI’s Child ID can help. This app provides a convenient place to electronically store photos and vital information about your children so that it’s handy in an emergency. You can share it with security or police officers on the spot or use a special tab on the app to quickly and easily e-mail the information to authorities.

“Cell phones today go far beyond providing the ability to just call to check on your child’s location,” said Laurie Poellinger, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Wisconsin. “Smartphones continue to evolve with customizable features and access to numerous applications to help families keep track of their loved ones. Cell phones should simplify and enhance your life, and with the added benefit of U.S. Cellular’s new 4G LTE network, parents are just a quick download away from having peace of mind this Halloween.”

Poellinger also encourages parents to make sure their kids know how to use a cell phone in an emergency. Before sending kids out for trick-or-treating, parents should teach children how to provide their location to a 911 operator, and describe it using landmarks if an address is unknown or unavailable. I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) contact numbers can also be pre-programmed into the phone so that children can get help quickly. The helpful associates in any local U.S. Cellular store can assist with inputting I.C.E. numbers.