Tech Tips to Enhance Safety and Fun for Halloween 2023

Halloween is approaching, and for children dressed as ghosts, witches, and superheroes, it promises to be an exciting night. For parents, however, it can be one of the busiest evenings of the year. Managing trick-or-treaters while handing out candy and keeping an eye on the home can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, technology offers several solutions to help families enjoy a safer and more fun Halloween.

Utilizing Tracking Apps for Safety

Parents can leverage the capabilities of smartphones and smartwatches from brands such as Apple and Google to keep tabs on their children during trick-or-treating. Using apps like Find My and Family Link, families can monitor their kids as they navigate their candy routes. These applications provide more reliable tracking compared to many third-party services, particularly when paired with branded peripherals like Apple AirTags or Pixel smartwatches.

A useful feature available in the Find My app is the geofencing capability. This allows parents to set a designated area for their kids while granting them some freedom to explore. Notifications alert parents if a child strays beyond the defined boundary. To set this up, access the Find My app on an iPhone, select the relevant person or device, and follow the prompts to establish a new location radius. Google users can achieve similar results by setting up a Family Location in the Family Link app, providing peace of mind as children enjoy their Halloween adventure.

Enhancing the Halloween Experience with Smart Devices

Smart doorbells can add an extra layer of fun to Halloween festivities. For those with a Ring doorbell, the app allows users to customize spooky greetings and chimes for visiting trick-or-treaters. Access the app, navigate to Menu > Devices, select the doorbell, and choose from Halloween-themed quick replies. For example, one might choose to greet visitors with, “I’ll be right there to eat… I mean greet you!”

Users of Eufy doorbells can similarly select Halloween-themed effects and sounds through their app. Some models even offer a message recording feature, enabling parents to create their own unique greetings. Those utilizing Nest and Google Home devices can explore Halloween settings under Doorbell Themes, adding to the festive atmosphere.

In preparation for the evening, it may be wise to adjust motion sensitivity settings on smart doorbells. This can help conserve battery life and minimize unnecessary notifications, especially since the influx of trick-or-treaters can lead to increased activity.

Another important consideration for Halloween safety is visibility. While smartphones are equipped with flashlights, they may not provide adequate light when parents and children are juggling multiple items. Investing in portable lights that can clip onto jackets or costumes ensures that everyone can be seen while navigating dark streets.

With these technological tips, families can enjoy a safer and more exciting Halloween this year. From tracking devices to enhanced doorbell experiences, technology offers valuable support for managing the thrills of trick-or-treating.