WHEN IS ENOUGH....ENOUGH??? THE REAL DANGERS OF GHOST HUNTING!

As I sit and work on my power point for Ghost Hunting 101 I couldn't help and think about "Ghost Hunting" and the WHOLE story that goes with it!  Is it exciting? You bet!!! Does it heighten your senses? Yes.  Does it keep you wondering and keep you on your toes?  You better know it!!!  Does it keep you WANTING MORE???  Without a doubt!!!  BUT.......as with anything, there are things that usually aren't talked about associated with all the COOL stuff you see on the surface.

There are many hidden dangers that you REALLY need to consider or be aware of if you are going to explore the unknown......the paranormal!!!  You run many risks for yourself, not to mention your FAMILY and FRIENDS. 

Obviously, staying out all night and "burning the candle at both ends" so to speak, can be very stressful, and could cause problems with your relationship....especially if your partner is NOT interested in the paranormal.  It is hard for them to understand sometimes, the fasciation with staying out all night in a haunted graveyard full of dead people or sitting in the dark for HOURS just waiting to see something.  And can you BLAME THEM???  We are a little weird to want to do this. LOL

Some of the dangers we have to be aware of is...possession, someone or something following us home, nightmares, obsession, shadow people, sleeplessness, depression, uneasy feelings and terrifying events suddenly start to happen.   Not to mention listening to stories about past tragedies can sometimes take a toll on one's mind.  Being compelled to dig deeper and deeper into a case while trying to solve a haunting can occupy the mind to a point of obsession.  We have to learn to take breaks....and talk with people from time to time about our cases to clear our minds.

I know this from experience.  I have been so intent on solving a case that I couldn't hardly think about anything else!  I wanted more evidence....more photo's.....more EVP's!!!!  Anything else I could get my hands on to help me prove what I thought was going on at a haunted location.  Sometimes this would get in the way with my relationships, family and friends.  I had to step back and realize HOW much time I was spending with my head in the computer, reading, writing and  having my headsets on listening for that ONE thing I might have over looked.

I have also experienced things following me home.  It is just my daughter and myself, so when physical things started happening in my own home after I had visited a haunted location I really had to take a hard look at things.  Things were happening such as the water coming on full blast by itself downstairs when my daughter was the only one home and she was upstairs.....scaring her to death!  The TV coming on EVERY NIGHT with the volume full blast around 2:30am every night for almost three weeks straight. I would make sure the volume was completely on mute before I went to bed, but STILL the TV would come on full blast and nothing but static on the screen, motion detectors going off without any batteries in them....footsteps when know one was home but me and several other events.  Suddenly it becomes VERY REAL!!! Now, fortunately for me...I took control and took my house back and have not had any other problems in a long time.

This is the actual motion detector.  This is how it
was laying the night it went off.  You can see the sensor
is in the middle of the device facing the ceiling and don't
forget the only way to activate it or turn it on was with the remote,
which was in my bag in my closet.
It was laying face up and just started going off by itself.  And
just seconds before, both my dogs sat up in bed and started
straight up at the celling!!!  They had NEVER done that before.  

I know a friend of mine that quit ghost hunting because after he investigated a haunted house, suddenly really bad things started happening to him.....he lost his girlfriend, he started drinking and doing drugs, lost his job and started to see shadow figures over his bed at night.  He decided he just couldn't do it anymore so he quit and had his house and himself cleansed.  After that, things started turning around for him.

So, here's the bottom line....this is a fascinating field and can be VERY REWARDING but at the same time.....you must protect yourself and your family from the unknown.  Always do your protection prayer before and after an investigation.  Please just remember.....it's not all glamorous and full of amazing evidence like TV would have you believe. :)  I'm not saying it isn't worth it, all I saying is don't forget what you are really dealing with......THE UNKNOWN!!!
 

IT'S ALL ABOUT LOCATION....LOCATION....LOCATION.

So, now you have decided that you want to go on a real ghost hunt.  You pick your location...because you have researched and researched on the internet to find just the right spot!

You pick your date to go..... and the perfect time at night, you get your group of friends or team together and you jump in the car....and away you go!!!!!  Right???................WRONG!!!!

Ghost hunting is know different from anything else.  You have to have safety guidelines to follow.  You don't want anyone getting hurt during an investigation.  It can be very dangerous if not done properly.

So lets go over a couple of safety tips before you do an investigation.

1.  ALWAYS check out the location in the daytime and preferably the day OF the investigation so that you see exactly what objects are in the area.  If it is an outdoor location, check for unlevel  ground and holes, places where people might trip or fall.  Objects that  people could run in to.....fences...large tree branches, etc.  This is very import.  And let me give you a word of advice..... if you are investigating in old cemeteries  you need to walk around carefully and if possible mark "soft spots" in the ground or places that seem to "sink in" in front of headstones.  The reason for this is back a long time ago, coffins were made of wood and you know what happens to wood when you put it in the ground for a long period of time.....that's right......it rots!!!  And let me tell you from experience..............if you think running into a ghost is bad.....just wait until you step on top of a grave and it caves in with your leg going straight through the coffin....................let me tell you......that old saying "fast as lightening" That ain't nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

And if you are doing an investigation inside, still take a good look around for things that could possibly be hazardous to you or your team members.  See an example below.

 

HOW GOOD ARE YOU???  In the pictures below, let's say you are going to do an investigation at this location, what potential hazards do you see?  No peeking.....I have posted just a FEW I see at the end of this page.

Can you find more than me?

I found at least 10
Bonus Points if you find the Orb!

I found at least 7

I found at least 7

I found at least 5

2.  Never go alone!  Actually this should be #1 but I am to lazy to go back and delete and paste and re-paste this tip ….lol   But really, never go alone.  This way if something happens…you fall, trip or hurt yourself in someway, you will have someone there to help you or can call for help.  (and in the case of craving in a grave with your leg........someone to chase you down while your running and yell "hey....you forgot your shoe!!!!" LOL

3. Make sure you have an alternative light source.  Say your batteries are drained and you run out of extra batteries, make sure you have either a lighter or candles, or both. Preferably a Bic lighter, that way if you drop it, it won’t start a fire(hopefully). Glow sticks are an excellent source of light.  Always have a "backup plan" for lighting.

4.  Something that people don’t always think of (myself included, I know you thought I was perfect…but no..lol) tell someone who ISN’T going on the investigation with you, where you will be and if possible, about what time you will return.  Ok.... this is for obvious reasons....like a ghost gets you!!! LOL

5.  And last, make sure you have a first aid kit available for small “boo boo's".
Ok.  That is more than a couple of tips but I wanted you guys to be safe out there.  Also, bring water if you are going to be out for long periods of time......well, you may get thirsty....who knows? :)


OK...below are the pictures from above that I have pointed out some potential hazardous objects.  How well did you do????

On a quick note....stay tuned for my posting on the Haunted Congress Hotel in Chicago.  I just got back yesterday and will be going through the evidence.  I think you will find it VERY interesting!