This post is part of my partnership with the
US Cellular Blogger Brigade Ambassador Program.

 

‘Twas three days before Halloween and all through the house kids were begging for candy and driving us nuts.

“We want to wear our costumes,” they yelled at the top of their lungs.

“Not yet sons,” we calmly replied, “Halloween has not yet arrived.”

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Oh, the tales of Halloween, deciding on costumes, decorating, buying candy, making sure I don’t eat the candy, kids changing their minds 20 gazillion times about their costume {which has already been purchased}. Whew!
Oh, and the ultimate dilemma. What to do when the eldest wants to stay out with his friends until the last possible minute, and the youngest is cool visiting 5 houses and calling it a night.

We’ve considered getting the oldest one a cell phone for these types of occasions. It would allow both him and us more freedom. A recent survey from U.S. Cellular found 62% of parents actually cite safety as a reason for getting their child their first phone.

But we are concerned that he would spend his entire life playing Pokemon Go! and never make it to school on time. Let’s just say once he does get his own phone he will be signing the Parent-Child Agreement.

Until then, by combining a selection of built-in features, our iPhone can double as a Halloween hub to help our little goblins stay safe and give us peace-of-mind.

 

Store Recent Shots

• Plenty of pictures are taken of kids in their costumes so they can be shared with loved ones and on social media channels, but it’s critical to have current photos stored and readily available should a problem arise.
• In addition to having a current photo of each child in regular clothing, before heading out on Halloween night, also 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 headed out without them can do so by using “Find My Friends.”
  • This app, which comes pre-installed on iPhones and is available for download on Androids through Google Play, can be set up to show the location of devices so a child’s whereabouts can be identified at all times.

 

Pre-load Pertinent Info

• iPhones include a built-in emergency feature located in the lower left-hand corner of locked password screens, which allows users to make emergency calls, even when the phone remains locked.
• iPhones also give users the opportunity to set up “Medical ID” information allowing friends, first-responders or even concerned bystanders to gain access to potentially life-saving information if needed, right from the emergency screen.
• To set up this built-in “Medical ID” feature:
  • Select the pre-installed Health application
  • Click on Medical ID in the lower right corner
  • Make sure the “Show When Locked” option is turned on
  • Add name, date of birth and information as it relates to medical conditions, allergies, and reactions, and medications
  • Add emergency contacts and personal information that would be useful in case of an emergency.

 

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 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.

 

Stay Charged

• Be aware that certain applications can drain batteries quickly.
• If users suspect they will be using their phones more than usual, they should consider bringing along a portable charger, like the PureGear® PureJuice Portable Charger.
• External batteries are lightweight and easy to plug into multiple devices via USB microcharging cables, allowing users to recharge a phone’s battery in their pocket, purse or bag.
• There are also cell phone cases on the market that automatically charge smartphones without any extra cables, like the Mophie Juice Pack.

 

Navigate through the Night

• Strolling streets and walkways in the dark can be dangerous, and since superpowers such as night vision are not included with the purchase of superhero costumes, flashlights are needed.
• Fortunately, today’s smartphones come with built-in flashlights.

 

With all this in place, our Halloween night can be full of treats!

 

All opinions are my own and an honest view of my story as a US Cellular customer.