Physical Dangers Archives - Ghosts and Haunted Places

Ghost Hunting and Respiratory Risks

biohazard With the death of Sara Harris, ghost hunting health risks are now in the spotlight.

She was a healthy young woman, investigating a site that many others had used for ghost hunting, regularly.

She wasn’t wearing a mask. She became ill. And then, despite great medical care, she died.

In my earlier article – written before Sara’s death – I touched on basic health and safety concerns, including respiratory issues and simple steps to reduce your risks. Today, I’ve had time for a more in-depth study of the problem, and I’ve re-recorded my December 1st podcast – released early because it’s so important – with more comprehensive information. It’s a 16-minute podcast.

Remember, I am not a medical professional or doctor and this is not intended as medical advice. For hantavirus information and recommended protection, here’s a link to the CDC website. (Scroll down that page to where they recommend N100 masks.)

I’m trying to strike a sensible balance but even one death is too many, so I’d rather lean in the direction of raising excessive concerns, than treat this too lightly.

Points you need to know

Airborne risks in dusty locations aren’t news. Since speculation about “King Tut’s Curse,” people have been concerned about airborne diseases, especially those that have been dormant at locations where bodies may have been stored (including abandoned hospital morgues) or tombs.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists a wide range of rodent-related diseases, from Hanta to plague to one form of meningitis. Most are spread by “breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings.” Just last week, I’d pointed to a large mouse or rat in one ghost hunting video, but I think we’ve all investigated sites where mice and rats had once been (or still are) and they’ve left droppings.

Many abandoned hospitals that were described as “insane asylums” were also hospitals for victims of tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases. Eloise Insane Asylum (in Michigan, USA) is a good example of this. Take extra precautions at sites where people have been ill.

Studies of SARS, Covid, and other diseases have shown that dry particles can travel surprising distances, and still cause infection.

Surgical masks are usually designed to protect the environment from the wearer, not vice versa. If you’re buying blue masks, keep this in mind. Depending on their design, those blue masks usually test between 15% and 80% effective. The best are designed to filter the smallest particles, and have something at the nose so air isn’t entering and exiting, unfiltered, at the top edge of the mask.

Masks usually filter particles, they don’t disinfect anything. If you have significant health issues leaving you especially vulnerable, or you’re going to extremes, look for military-grade gas masks designed to protect from chemical and biological agents, as well as flu pandemics. At that level, you’ll achieve maximum protection.

Most medical-style masks do not filter out carbon monoxide or other toxic gases.

Indoors (with no open windows), setting up an air purifier ahead of time may help if it’s designed to HEPA standards. (HEPA filters remove more than 99% of airborne particles, usually down to 0.3 microns.) However, most air purifiers are designed to filter tobacco smoke, pollen, and dust, not chemical or bacterial agents. Make sure the air purifier removes dust, and choose an air purifier with a CADR rating number at least 2/3 the square footage of the space you need to treat. (So, if it’s a room with 120 square feet, you’re looking for a CADR rating that’s at least 80.)

Remember that your hands, hair, and clothing can pick up the same particles you’re trying to avoid with a mask. Keep your mask on when you shake your hair to dislodge particles, and when you change your clothes. Disposable gloves – available in bulk from many pharmacies and beauty salon supply stores (like Sally Beauty Supply) – can be helpful when you might have to touch items that put you at risk, or in locations that are coated with dirt or dust.

There is a happy medium (no pun intended) between making ghost hunting so complex and fearful it’s a chore, and being far too casual about health and safety risks. The precautions you take will vary from person to person, and from one investigation site to another.

Someone investigating in northern Maine and eastern Canada will have very different concerns than someone investigating in Louisiana or an area that’s been affected by flooding. And, someone with severe allergies or respiratory issues will take different precautions than someone who rarely catches a cold and enjoys exceptionally good immunity.

What I’m adding to my own ghost hunting supplies

Basic blue surgical masks, for my own use and for anyone who’s with me that didn’t bring respiratory protection, and a few P95 or N95 masks, just to have them on hand for severe situations that surprise us.

I like the looks of WoodyKnows nose filters for discreet, short-term use, since they’re praised by people who use them for allergies.

N100 or P100 masks, preferably with the Cool-Flow feature, for hot climates.

Disposable gloves, for places where I don’t want to touch anything. (I have a very low “ick!” threshold.)

A more comprehensive HEPA-style breathing mask, in the $30 – $50 price range.

A personal air purifier that’s been proved effective in scientific studies. As of 2012, one possibility: the Wein As150mm Ionic Air Purifier. It’s small and can be worn as a pendant. As long as it doesn’t interfere with electronic sensing devices or other ghost hunting tools, it’s the kind of thing I’d wear routinely in dusty locations, basements and attics, and abandoned buildings… and when I’m on an airplane.

Dangers of Paranormal Research

For years, many of us have warned about dangerous aspects of ghost hunting.

From physical safety to legal issues, and personal liabilities to spiritual protection, this field has more pitfalls than most hobbies and professions.

In general, the paranormal community can be divided into three groups:

- Those who know the risks and take appropriate precautions.
- Those who don’t know the risks, or have only a vague idea, and aren’t as cautious as they might be.
- Those who see the warning signs (literal and figurative) and ignore them, thinking they’re immune to the risks.

I want to be sympathetic when someone is arrested for ignoring a “no trespassing” sign, or when they go to Vale End (or a similar site) and return home, terrified… a fear that stays with them for years. I’ve warned about scams and con artists, and sleazy people who like the cover of darkness.

Experienced professionals usually know the risks and do what they can to minimize them. Event planners try to organize activities so no one is placed in unnecessary danger.

Trespassing (an illustrated rant)

A wide spectrum of ghost enthusiasts seem to be oblivious to all risks. I see that in my email inbox, with questions and tales of woe, daily.

But, the symptoms aren’t only in my incoming email. Looking for good videos to explain issues related to the haunted Eloise Insane Asylum in Michigan, I found three videos with the following content.

All were filmed by a group of kids, emulating the Ghost Hunters TV series.

First, the kids filmed the no trespassing sign. Then, they ignored it and entered the property anyway.

Then, they captioned portions of their videos, repeatedly proclaiming that they were on private property.

Worse, when one of the kids said she was afraid to slip under the fence because she might be arrested, her friends talked her into breaking the law.

Okay, they’re 12-year-olds, so you might ask, “Where were the parents?”

The answer…? In at least one part of the video, the mom was holding the camera.

I don’t want to single out these kids as if they’re an example of the primary problem.

They’re not.

Adults are doing this kind of thing even more often than kids are.

Laws and legal penalties aren’t the only dangers

The bigger issue is what “no trespassing” signs can indicate.

Those signs might indicate major safety problems, including some that may be life-threatening.

They might include something as simple (but deadly) as asbestos dust or as urgently perilous as structural damage. An issue might be toxic waste underground or a site known for harboring territorial, poisonous snakes.

And, almost all abandoned structures have rodent issues. I talked about that risk in my earlier podcast about ghost hunting and respiratory risks and in my article about ghost hunting and health issues.

Here’s the reason for alarm: With “no trespassing” signs prominently displayed, many site owners and communities figure they’ve done enough. They’ll make repairs later when they have more funds to work with.

They (reasonably) assume that the signs will protect an unwary visitor from putting him- or herself at risk.

“No trespassing” signs rarely go into detail. (When I last checked, the fenced-off area near Gilson Road Cemetery in Nashua, NH, did not explain that it’s a possibly toxic Superfund site.)

But, don’t rely on “no trespassing” signs as warnings.

Sometimes, we’re called into homes and businesses (in use, not abandoned) with significant risks – structural and health issues – as we explore moldy basements and attics with rodent droppings.

Every researcher needs to be aware of the dangers, as well as precautions to take.

Very sick and troubling dangers

I’ve talked about blunders with Ouija boards and sleazy people groping team members in the dark. I’ve ranted about cult-like groups and thrill-seekers with an adrenaline addiction.

So, yes, this field can seem like a minefield to the unwary.

The key word is “unwary.” Once you’re aware of the risks, you can evaluate which you’re okay with and what limits to place on your research.

In the past, I’ve avoided describing ghost hunting dangers because… well, that’s not the focus of this website.

In the 1990s, I wanted to interest people in ghost hunting.

Now, I’m doing my best to make ghost hunting interesting and safe.

Risks need to be assessed on a site-by-site basis.

It’s one thing to go into a paved, haunted cemetery after dark, where you’ll meet dozens of joggers and dog walkers.

It’s quite another to go into an abandoned building with a wide range of structural and health concerns.

Every site presents challenges. Know the risks you’re taking, not just in general but at the specific site you’re investigating, and the people you’re trusting in dark and low-light conditions.

Learn the best ways to find ghosts, in local (and legal!) places…

GHOST HUNTING IN HAUNTED CEMETERIES – A How-To Guide : CLASSIC EDITION

Step into the eerie realm of haunted cemeteries.

In “Ghost Hunting in Haunted Cemeteries – Classic Edition,” you’ll learn to discover haunted cemeteries near you, pinpoint the most active areas, and identify the graves most likely to hold supernatural secrets.

With step-by-step instructions and expert tips, you’ll learn how to conduct thorough investigations that reveal the true nature of haunted cemeteries and graveyards.

This is the classic guide, updated and expanded. It goes far beyond the basics. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or someone intrigued by eerie places, this book is your key to unlocking the mysteries that lie within haunted cemeteries.

Available at Amazon and other booksellers.

How to Stay Safe – For New Ghost Hunters

Every Halloween, people visit haunted places to see what ghost hunting is really like.

Maybe a ghost will appear or do something weird, just like on TV.

But then, starting the day after Halloween, I hear about people who regretted going out that night.

That’s not because they actually encountered a ghost.

The problem was: the living.

**Here’s why the living can be the biggest problem at “haunted” sites…**

Haunted places are often badly maintained, and off-the-beaten-path.

At the very least, most people avoid them.

So, those same sites are attractive to people who want to stay off-the-radar of the public, and especially the police.

I can’t even guess how many times I visited Gilson Road Cemetery (before the nearby subdivision was built), and discovered teens enjoying a raucous party in the woods behind the cemetery.

Of course, they wanted us to leave. The sooner, the better.

Ditto the number of abandoned, haunted buildings where my team and I stumbled onto drug deals in progress, and so on.

Can ghosts be dangerous? Yes.

This website is filled with articles about the paranormal dangers of ghosts and ghost hunting.

For example:

What Ghosts are Really Like – Dangers in Ghost Hunting
Ghost Hunting – Why to Stop Looking for a “Good Scare”
Ghosts Can Hurt You, But…
A haunted site I wish I’d never visited: Wilton, NH – Vale End is Dangerous
… and many more articles at this site (Use the search form for your biggest concerns).

At Halloween, let’s remind aspiring ghost hunters that some haunted sites can be dangerous, and not just because of ghosts and other entities.

Never go ghost hunting alone.
Never leave a friend alone at a haunted site.
And always have a Plan B escape route if you find yourself in an awkward or scary situation… regardless of the cause.

But, if you’re worried about ghosts reading your mind and scaring you…

And read this article: Can a Ghost Read Your Mind?

Ghost Hunting: When Residual Energy Hauntings Become Dangerous

How do ghost hunters explain angry ghosts, and when intense hauntings go far past “residual energy”? And what can we do about it, during investigations?

The topic of residual energy hauntings isn’t new, but when researcher Chris Williams referenced them at my Facebook Page – I thought he made a good point.

In a discussion about whether (or perhaps when/how) ghosts can hurt you, he referenced one type of haunting that can seem – at times – benign.

If you think your home – or any haunted site – has residual, ghostly energy, here’s what to do…

BUT what can you do, “… if you stumble upon a residual haunting and force contact and disrupt the spirits’ routine”?

Well, forcing contact with a ghost is NEVER a good idea.

But that got me thinking about the power of emotional energy, especially when it’s highly focused… and angry.

If you’ve ever witnessed someone – a living person – who’s in a rage and venting, you’ve seen the kind of anger I’m thinking about.

From my viewpoint, some compulsive actions and activities have a similar energy, as do highly focused activities. (Consider how ferociously some people focus during gym workouts. It can look a lot like anger.)

As Albert Einstein said:

“Energy cannot be created or destroyed;

it can only be changed from one form to another.”

Many ghosts seem angry, especially when confronted. So, that raises a question:

When someone is angry at the time they pass, where does the angry energy go?

In fact, where does human energy of all kinds go… the love, the hate, the exhilaration, the passion, the delight?

Is it always lingering as residual energy, just waiting for a trigger to become obvious to others?

Of course, those are rhetorical questions. We don’t know the answers, yet.

But, getting back to angry ghosts…

Most ghost stories seem connected to anger.

For example:

Anger at a person, or even anger at an entire family or community. The “vengeful spirit” trope is especially popular in ghost stories.
Anger about circumstances, such as poverty and plagues. (Ghost Adventures explored at least one such haunting.)
Anger about outcomes and disappointments. For example, the many ghost stories related to brides – such as Alexandria’s Burning Bride.
Anger about moral issues and political causes, resulting in haunted battlefields. (Gettysburg is a classic, but Lexington Green’s grisly history is often overlooked.)

Then there’s the practice of “provoking” ghosts by deliberately antagonizing them and making them angry. (A misguided and cruel practice, in my opinion, and rarely necessary.)

I think Chris has a valid point, about the danger of interrupting a spirit’s routine.

Perhaps this needs further investigation.

For example, is the repeated ghostly activity – typical of what we call “residual energy” – part of how the ghost is processing his/her/their death, albeit slowly?

And, if a ghost can practically embed itself – and its energy – in a physical location, are we more at risk if we push, prod, and provoke that ghost, distracting the spirit from something he/she/they feel is necessary?

If the spirit’s routines are interrupted, should we be surprised if the ghost retaliates in threatening ways?

Anger may be an essential but overlooked element in some hauntings. It may have been lingering there, all along.

(I’m reminded of those unfortunate TV ads for Kayak dot com, where someone flies into a rage over the mere mention of the travel service.)

Perhaps we should consider the emotional energy of a likely ghost (or ghosts) – or the energy apparently embedded in the haunted location – as we plan our investigations.

That’s especially true when you’re planning a visit to a site that’s known to be intensely haunted.

The “intense” part suggests the energy at that site could be more than you’d expected.

For every ghost hunt, it’s wise to decide ahead of time what might anger the ghosts.

Consider what precautions – and protections – could keep you safe.

I hope you never encounter a terrifying, angry ghost. But if you’ve had that kind of experience, please leave a comment! Share your story, so others can learn from your experiences.

Haunted Houses and Carbon Monoxide

How can carbon monoxide affect a haunted house?

When people contact me about a house that might have ghosts, they often say things like:

“Sometimes, when I’m in that part of the house, I get shaky, dizzy, and I feel weak all over.”
“I get a tightness in my chest, and I can’t catch my breath. Do you suppose the ghost died of a heart attack?”
“I’m okay during the day, but at night – especially when it’s cold out – it’s like something floats into my room through the bedroom window, and I can’t breathe.”
“The baby gets fussy in that room and seems to be looking at something that I don’t see, and the dog won’t go in there, ever.”
“I’m fine all day, but at night, when we close up the house and go to bed, I get headaches, it feels really stuffy in the room, and sometimes I feel kind of sick. I always have to get up and open the window, just to feel the breeze. About an hour or two later, around midnight, everything’s fine again.”

Well, those “symptoms” of a haunting can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. That’s why carbon monoxide is now the first thing to check in a house that might be haunted. This is especially true if the ghosts started to be a problem when the house was sealed up for the winter, or – in warm climates – for the summer.

The following is an edited excerpt from the first edition of, Is Your House Haunted?, by Fiona Broome.

Before you do anything else…

Check the carbon monoxide levels at the possibly-haunted site.

Carbon monoxide is nicknamed “the silent killer.” Pets and children often react to it first. Carbon monoxide (CO), also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas.

It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities.

It can come from a variety of sources, including gas appliances, woodstoves, car exhaust, blocked flues, and even cigarette smoke.

Some people are more sensitive to carbon monoxide, and may show symptoms before others do.

Any of the following symptoms may indicate high levels of carbon monoxide.

Headaches.
A tight sensation in the chest.
Nausea.
Shortness of breath.
Vomiting.
Dizziness.
Fatigue.
A feeling of weakness.
Confusion or disorientation.
Visual disturbances.
Fainting and seizures.
Flu symptoms.
Infants may be irritable.
Pets can avoid certain areas.

Carbon monoxide can also affect the heart and central nervous system, and raise blood pressure. Carbon monoxide poisoning can damage the fetus of a pregnant woman.

Many areas in the UK, the US, and Canada have laws recommending (or even requiring) the use of carbon monoxide detectors in homes.

Older homeowners may not realize that. Even if the homeowner has no fireplace or woodstove, and no gas appliances, check the levels anyway.

For example, if a nearby neighbor has a wood stove and you (or the client) sleep with your window open, elevated carbon monoxide could explain some “symptoms” of a haunting.

If you regularly investigate haunted sites, be sure your home has very low levels of carbon monoxide, too.

If you’ve been sensitized to the gas, even low levels might trigger your symptoms at a “haunted” site. It could happen. Rule this out, immediately.

When you’re investigating a potentially haunted house and any symptoms match the warning list, carbon monoxide levels must be checked first.

If the homeowner does not have a carbon monoxide detector installed, and you don’t have a handheld monitor, call the fire department for advice.

Note: Before buying a handheld carbon monoxide meter, be sure to read the reviews.

If you’re investigating haunted homes and you can’t afford a good carbon monoxide detector, don’t bother with a cheap one. Either have the homeowner install carbon monoxide detectors in several places in the home – and use them for at least a week before you investigate – or ask the fire department if someone in the community can test the air for the homeowner.

A carbon monoxide meter that works is important. A cheap one that’s not reliable could put you and your client at risk.

So, either use a good detector or have the homeowner or someone else handle that part of the investigation.

LEARN MORE…

Poltergeists – What They Are, and Famous Stories

Poltergeists cause unexplained noises, and move objects with unseen hands.

At many hauntings, those mischievous (and sometimes angry) spirits throw things… sometimes vigorously.

On TV, one of the most famous examples was in the Ghost Adventures episode filmed at the Goldfield Hotel.

Though I can’t clearly see enough to claim it’s a genuine event, Zak Bagans continues to refer to it as one of the scariest moments in the show’s history.

If he had reason to suspect it was a hoax, I doubt that he’d keep revisiting this topic. He’d probably hope people forgot it.

So, I take this seriously. (Note: Often, Zak – or the show’s producers – and I have very different views about ghost hunting and safety issues.)

Ghost Adventures Flying Brick 1080p HD

Goldfield, Nevada, Goldfield Inn evidence of paranormal. Brick flying across room from unknown force captured in 2008 by Zak B. and Nick G. during their firs…

According to Wikipedia,

In folklore and parapsychology, a Poltergeist (German for ‘noisy ghost’ or ‘noisy spirit’) is a type of ghost or other supernatural entity which is responsible for physical disturbances, such as loud noises and objects being moved or destroyed. They are purportedly capable of pinching, biting, hitting, and tripping people. Most accounts of poltergeists describe the movement or levitation of objects such as furniture and cutlery, or noises such as knocking on doors.

Professional opinions

Among paranormal researchers, opinions vary widely. Some insist that a ghost – and only a ghost – causes the activity.

Others believe a living person triggers it, and is sometimes the target of particularly vicious physical attacks.

And some dismiss poltergeists entirely. They point to hoaxes, and vibrations from sources such as a passing train or heavy truck.

No simple, single answer that applies to all cases.

In my opinion, people who casually shrug off all poltergeists have never witnessed much poltergeist activity.

I’ve seen enough to believe it’s real, and sometimes very dangerous.

When poltergeist activity is infrequent or not especially dangerous, a bowl of salt seems to reduce or eliminate the problem. Place the salt where most of the activity occurs.

Of course, if the activity puts anyone at risk – especially physically – it’s important to get professional help quickly. I refer people to spiritual advisors such as priests and ministers.

However, avoid leaping to idea that the activity is demonic. That’s very rarely the case.

Meanwhile, some scientists are aggressively studying psychokinesis (PK), which may explain some poltergeist activity. So, we may have better answers, soon.

More about poltergeists

The following references may be useful:

Colin Wilson – Ghost Sightings

This book reads like a children’s series of “ghost stories.” But, it’s actually filled with unique and fascinating information about ghosts and poltergeists.

He was the first researcher I heard mention an eerie connection between poltergeist activity and water, especially unexplained water residues.

Often overlooked by researchers, this book is among my favorite resources for unusual insights about the spirit world. I keep a copy by my desk. Though the stories and descriptions seem light, Wilson includes some unique and useful insights.

Also, I agree with Wilson when he says, “…the evidence is that we do continue to exist. And I don’t think that there’s any possible doubt about it.”

Winchester Mansion (aka Winchester Mystery House) – Wikipedia entry

One of the world’s strangest and most haunted houses. Often, its poltergeist activity is accompanied by small, unexplained pools of water. Those pools occur in rooms with no windows and no adjoining plumbing.

Cases: The Drummer of Tedworth, Enfield Poltergeist

(I will write more about these events, later, and include previously unreported facts. They may shed new light on these famous poltergeist stories.)

Movies: The Entity

This movie — difficult to find as a DVD, since the movie studio discontinued it — is one of the most notorious stories of poltergeist activity.

It also claims it’s based on a true story. Frankly, I’m not convinced, and I don’t recommend it. The content in this film is very disturbing, and sexually explicit. And, oh yes, not very realistic.

Produced in the early 1980s, the movie is dated. Those who’ve watched it consistently describe it as sick, and too realistic for entertainment.

That may be why the movie was discontinued. Or, the atmosphere it created around viewers may have attracted annoying – or even worrisome – entities.

Books: Harry Potter books, by J. K. Rowling

The poltergeist, Peeves, appears during every school year. However, when he is visible, he generally looks solid. (That’s not common among poltergeists. Few appear in visible form.)

Other Hogwarts spirits, such as Nearly Headless Nick, usually look translucent and slightly glistening or pearlescent. They’re more likely to be ghosts, not poltergeists.

Note: Peeves wasn’t in the Harry Potter movies, but he is in a video on YouTube:

In general, I regard poltergeists as mischievous spirits, sometimes given energy by emotional people (especially young teens) in the general vicinity.

Ignored, their activity may seem to get worse, briefly, and then stop or occur infrequently. So — in the long run — it’s best to give them minimal attention, before taking more aggressive steps to deal with the situation.