If you are looking for a way to keep track of your kids while they are trick or treating this year, but you don't want to be a hovering parent, we may have the solution.
It is almost time to hear those three magic words we hear constantly on Halloween night--trick or treat! This year, some parents are saying three different words when it comes to gathering candy: "track 'n treat".
It's a new--free--smart phone app that uses tracking technology to allow parents to monitor their children's locations on the web or on their smart phones. Lacey Bauman of Danville already uses a similar app to keep track of her siblings.
"It's a great safety app. My parents don't have to worry about it. If my little sister and brother want to go out, they don't have to sit and worry constantly about where they're going. It's a cool app," Bauman said.
Parents just add their child's phone number on the "Track 'n Treat" app and share their location. Mom and dad can watch a map on the web or on their phone as their child collects candy.
Kari Davis of Danville said her daughter is too young to go trick or treating on her own, but she plans to download the "Track 'n Treat" app to keep track of her siblings.
"It would definitely help us keep track of them. If someone would try to snatch them up, then we would know, they were at this location. Let's figure out who was around in that location. It would help a lot," Davis said.
Even if you have no use for the smart phone app, it is important to stay safe while trick or treating. The Danville Police Department recommends wearing costumes with reflective material.
"And we recommend also they either have a glow stick or a flashlight," Chief Eric Gill said.
Danville Police Chief Eric Gill also recommends checking your children's candy when they get home.
"To make sure it hasn't been tampered with, hasn't been opened," Chief Gill said.
Police also advise trick-or-treaters to only stop for sweets at houses with lights on.