Three Free Apps To Make Trick-Or-Treating Safer

Are the kids trick-or-treating on their own this year?

Or, maybe you've got a whole gaggle of kids going together, and it's tough to keep an eye on all of them, all of the time!

Here's a few apps we found that can help you out, whether you're going with them or not, in case they get separated:

• "Family Locator" -- This used GPS on their phone to show exactly where they are at that moment.  You log in on YOUR phone, and it pulls up a map. Also, if they need YOU, they can press an SOS button that will send you their location.
• "Red Panic Button" -- Again, this has an SOS button, but it's a little more simple, so it's good for the little ones.  They just push a big red button, and it automatically sends you a text with a link...to a map that shows exactly where they are.
• "Life360" -- This also has a map in real time, but they can also message you if there's a problem.  Added bonus?  You can set boundary limits, so if they go too far away, or cross a street they're not supposed to, you get an alert!  Kind of like an invisible fence for kids....but without the zap!

I'm sure these could be helpful all year long, actually, not just for Halloween.  Man am I glad we didn't have this technology when I was a kid...my helicopter parents would be all OVER me! :)