Have a Happy, Techy Halloween

Last Halloween brought out an estimated 41 million trick-or-treaters – children 5 to 14 – across the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 

With such a large number of costumed children running around, parents want to make sure their little ghouls and goblins are building lasting Halloween memories, but safety should be their first priority.

Verizon Wireless has a few tech-safety tools and applications that parents can use from their smartphones to keep their children having fun and staying safe.

Safe and Fun Trick-or-Treat Tech Tips:

• Get an early start on your trick-or-treating route and plan your path with VZ Navigator. VZ Navigator tells you where you are and what's nearby, providing turn-by-turn directions.
• Still not sure about your Halloween Costume? Use one of the several costume idea apps like 100+ Halloween Costumes that help you with homemade costume ideas or deals in stores.
• To help make sure your children are staying together use Verizon Wireless Family Locator. You can locate multiple family members at the same time and send messages.  It provides you with detailed location information and updates on their whereabouts.
• Make sure your trick-or-treaters path is illuminated and download a flashlight app to their phones.  Some apps even offer a strobe light function to keep it fun.

• Not sure if the weather is going to end the trick or treating night early? Download the Weather Channel app and keep a close watch.

To continue the fun at home once the trick-or-treating is over try out apps like Catch Halloween Candy which challenges players to catch candy while avoiding spiders and pumpkins or play around in a virtual haunted house with Haunted House HD.

We hope you use these tips to ensure you and your children have a safe and fun Halloween!