Unique Takes on Keeping Kids Safe on Halloween
When it comes to your child's safety, Halloween can be truly scary.
The rate of child pedestrian fatalities on Halloween is more than four times higher than any other day of the year, according to Fun Halloween Fright Site!Blog: Eye on ParentingOn "The Early Show on Saturday Morning," Parenting Contributor and child and adolescent psychologist Dr. Jennifer Hartstein explained how to know your youngster is ready to trick-or-treat on his or her own, and CNET technology contributor Katie Linendoll showcased gadgets to help track them when they're out and about.Dr. HartsteinWhen and how do you know your child is ready to go trick or treating on their own?Age 12 is a good standard to start to consider when it's safe for your children to go out on their own. And even then, it's important to know your own kids and whether they're really ready for it. Once you agree that the age is right, be sure to establish the appropriate rules for when they're out.First, know your kids: What can they do and do they do on their own? Do they walk to school solo? Are they responsible for their things? If you feel comfortable leaving your children at home alone, it may be around this time that you can let them go out on their own trick-or-treating.It also depends on a child's ability to think responsibly. If your child doesn't think about potential consequences and is very impulsive, 12 may not be the appropriate cut-off.Trust your gut. If you feel like going out solo with friends isn't a good idea, it probably isn't.To reiterate, though, be sure to know whom they're with, where they plan to go, and establish rules. Let your youngsters know the expectations related to their behavior. What are the best kinds of groups for him or her to go out in (large groups, smaller groups, best friends, should one parent be along)?When kids are young, going with a parent or trusted adult is really important. If we're talking about a 12 year old or older going, a small group is better than a large group, since they're less likely to get distracted by everyone, or get in trouble, because they attract less attention. The group should consist of people your child trusts and knows, and people you know, so you can rest assured that your child is in good company.Katie LinendollThe following information was supplied by the manufacturers:Tracking DevicesAmber Alert GPS
$179.00
Basic Plan $9.99 / month
Unlimited Plan $19.99 / month
Know where your child is at all times with live tracking. Log on to your computer to get new locations every 1-2 minutes. You can set alerts to notify you of: exiting safe zones, reaching destination, and speed alert. You can also set up 2-way voice - to talk through the unit like a phone. Add up to 10 users. There is also a panic button and two way voice -- you can call this unit like a phone.
Zoombak Advanced GPS Universal Locator
99.99 unit on Zoombak.com, and monthly service fee starting at $12.99
Also: $76.99 at Best Buy plus monthly service fees
On-demand GPS locator. Get continuous tracking every 5 minutes for up to 1 hour via map. Set up safety zones and be alerted when exiting outside of perimeters. Get email or text notifications when unit's battery is low and or is powered off.
Family Locator Plans
See where your child is at all times when they are on your family plan.
Verizon Wireless Family Locator = $9.99/ month
From your Verizon Wireless device or the Web, enjoy the comfort and convenience of locating family members anytime. A Verizon Wireless Exclusive! Receive updates when your family member arrives or departs a location you define such as a school or home. Choose times you want to verify whether a family member is inside or outside of a location you defined.
Also:
AT&T FamilyMap = $9.99/month
Sprint Family Locator, 15 day trial, $15 a month
Apps
Light-Up Accessories
Light Ups / Reflectives
Easy, low-tech way to protect your kids trick-or-treating in the dark.
Finger Flashlights
Set of 8, $12.98
Light-Up Bracelets
Set of 3, $14.98
Also:
Lowes - $4.97 Reflective Safety Tape
Walmart - Glo Sticks $1, Flashlight Torches $1, Glo necklaces $1