Goblins and ghosts and ghouls, oh my!

When it’s pumpkin time and little people dress up to go about their business of frightening the neighbors, it’s time to think about safety. And when it comes to Halloween safety this year, you’ll want a few tips and tricks up your sleeve. Think technology.

The good news is, there are several apps designed exactly for this purpose: to keep your kids safe while they go about their goodie gathering. A tracker app is a good idea, especially if your little goblin isn’t good about texting back promptly. Jiobit works well and Famisafe makes following your child’s progress easy. Life 360 is another excellent kid tracker.

You can also use technology to plan their route before they set out. It’s a good idea to sign up with a neighborhood social networking platform like Nextdoor to plan a safe route and discover a “treat map” showing which neighbors are participating.

Of course, you want your kids to see and be seen, so avoid masks and headgear that interfere with visibility.

Choose brightly colored costumes with reflective tape on them, and avoid tripping hazards like trailing capes and high heeled shoes. Check Pinterest for safe and easy costume suggestions.

And, though you hope you’ll never need them, it’s smart to be prepared for emergencies with Red Cross Safety Apps.

Now, dress them for the weather and review street-crossing rules with your little monsters. And make this Halloween a real treat!