Halloween safety apps help parents keep track of child's location and sex offenders in area

PHOENIX - Halloween is supposed to be fun and scary but parents don't want to fear for their child's safety. Technology can help ease concerns and keep your trick-or-treaters safe.

Life360 is an app that you can download on your smartphone. The app uses GPS technology to map out your location and sex offenders in the area.  You can find out the names, addresses, and charges against registered sex offenders. The app also maps out hospitals and fire stations in the area in case you need help. There's also a panic feature. With one push of a button, a user can send an emergency message or call to family and friends on a list. The app is free.

Trick or Tracker is an app that can be downloaded on most major smartphones but the person being tracked must be using an Android. This app uses GPS technology to keep track of the user's physical location. Parents can receive alerts if their child goes out of a designated perimeter. The app is free to use on Halloween until 9 p.m.

The goal for trick-or-treaters is to get a lot of candy.  Emergency responders recommend you check your child's candy to make sure it hasn't been tampered with. NextCare Urgent Care centers are offering free candy X-rays on Halloween and Thursday.

There are three locations in the valley:

Central Phoenix: 1701 E. Thomas, Phoenix (near 16th Street and Thomas Road)

East Valley: 600 S. Dobson, Chandler (near Dobson Road and Chandler Boulevard)

West Valley: 9494 W. Northern, Glendale (near Northern Avenue and the 101 Loop)