Halloween Hardware

Spooks to be had

By Caleb Cox, 31st October 2011

Product round-up Look out, it's Halloween 2011, where nobody questions strangers that give young kids sweets, those with a crude sense of humour get dressed up as Steve Jobs, and sales reps get annoyed by random people knocking on their door.

If you're someone who gets into the spirit, then consider some of the following Halloween gadgets. While some are on the costly side - and it's probably too late to grab those that require postal delivery - why not bung 'em on the shopping list for next year?

Fog machine

There's no smoke without fire, unless of course, you mystify mates with an eerie atmosphere tonight by grabbing one of these fog machines.

This particular model is a 400W entry-level box that'll fill 2000 cubic feet for every minute it's turned on. It'll automatically shut off should the machine overheat too, so there's no risk of spontaneous combustion.

Still, you should probably make sure everyone is aware there's a machine in action - you don't want a pile up as people dash for the exit in panic.

Alternatively, invite your chain-smoking grandparents over and save a few bob. They'll probably bring sweets with them too, and scare away the kids without dressing up. Bonus!

Price £30
More Info Maplin

GPS Tracker

If you're remotely fearful at the prospect of little Billy being snatched away after joining his mates' Trick or Treat group - surely a risk with so many vampires on the street that it's easy to lose Count. Ahem - then perhaps a GPS tracking device would ease your worries.

There's plenty of options available, including live trackers from companies such as Snooper. These tend to send location details in a text, after a user calls the Sim-card inserted in the tracking device. Of course, there's more professional spy-kits out there too, should you have the cash to splash.

Those who prefer to save their pennies, though, can always opt for the cheaper software-based trackers for mobiles, such as the Find your Friends app for iOS 5 users, or Trick or Tracker, an Android app even more geared towards worried parents.