Tech for a Safer Trick-or-Treating Night

Halloween is a night of costumes, candy, and community—but it’s also a time when safety should be top of mind, especially for families with young children. Fortunately, today’s technology offers simple ways to make trick-or-treating safer, smarter, and more connected. 

In this Tuesday Tip, we’ll explore a few tech tools and settings you can use to keep your little ghosts and goblins safe while they enjoy the fun. 

 Use Location Sharing Wisely

Whether your kids are trick-or-treating with friends or you’re splitting up to cover more ground, location sharing can help everyone stay connected. 

• iPhone users can use Find My to share real-time location with family members. 

• Android users can use Google Maps location sharing or Life360 for group tracking. 

• Set boundaries: Use geofencing features to get alerts if someone leaves a designated area. 

Just make sure everyone knows how to turn location sharing on—and off—when the night is over. 

 Light Up with Smart Wearables

Visibility is key on Halloween night. In addition to reflective tape and glow sticks, consider adding tech-powered wearables: 

• LED wristbands or clip-on lights make kids easier to spot in the dark. 

• Smartwatches with GPS and messaging features allow quick check-ins. 

• Some fitness trackers even include emergency contact options. 

Bonus tip: Choose costumes that don’t obstruct vision or movement and add lighting wherever possible. 

 Set Up Smart Home Alerts

If you’re staying home to hand out candy, smart home tech can help you keep an eye on things: 

• Video doorbells like Ring or Nest let you see who’s at the door—and record activity. 

• Motion-activated lights can deter mischief and help trick-or-treaters find your walkway. 

• Smart speakers can play spooky sounds or announce when someone’s at the door. 

You can even set up temporary automations for Halloween night using apps like Alexa Routines or Google Home. 

 Use Group Messaging Apps

Keep communication flowing with group messaging apps that support location, check-ins, and quick updates: 

• GroupMe, WhatsApp, or Signal are great for coordinating with friends and neighbors. 

• Create a group chat for your trick-or-treating crew to share updates or meet-up points. 

• Encourage kids with phones to check in periodically or send a quick selfie from each stop. 

 Review Safety Settings Before Heading Out

Before the costumes go on, take a few minutes to review device settings: 

• Enable emergency contacts on phones and smartwatches. 

• Turn on Do Not Disturb exceptions so important calls or messages get through. 

• Check battery levels and bring portable chargers if needed. 

And don’t forget to talk about basic safety rules—like staying on sidewalks, crossing at corners, and never entering a stranger’s home. 

 Make Halloween Fun and Safe with Smart Tech

Technology can’t replace supervision or good judgment, but it can add an extra layer of safety and peace of mind. Whether you’re out with the kids or managing the candy bowl at home, a few smart tools can make Halloween night more enjoyable for everyone. 

Give us a call, or fill out the contact form to the right, for a personalized consultation to secure your family's digital life—starting with a safer, smarter Halloween.