Debunk Paranormal

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Lately, I have been seeing a lot of teams talk about the dangers of some type of spirit or entity attaching themselves and following an investigator home from a location.  Now I try not to be too cynical about things, especially when I am a researcher, not a hands-on investigator.  Personal beliefs about the whole idea of something following a person home and causing negative activity aside, I do think there are some very real risks in paranormal investigating.   Not of a spiritual or paranormal nature, but rather very explainable and real issues that need to be cause for concern.

Asbestos, mold, and other building toxins are issues that all investigators should educate themselves about, especially if it is a team that does a lot of historic or previously abandoned locations.  Many old buildings and homes built before 1970 had asbestos in the insulation.  Its fire-resistant properties made it popular for use in building structures but it was later discovered that once the fibers start to fall apart and become airborne, the risk for lung cancer and other serious respiratory diseases increased. 

While the real danger in asbestos comes from long-term exposure, it is important to note that many older dilapidated structures have friable asbestos which means it is falling out of the walls and ceilings.  This is always a concern for health risks.  The same is true of mold in the structure that gets disturbed.  It is  a good idea to wear some type of mask or covering when spending time in these locations, and make sure the area is as ventilated as possible.  Better yet, avoid locations that are in need of serious repair.  Collapsing floorboards, nails sticking through, feral animals foraging around, and even the possibility of someone hiding there from a break-in are real concerns. 

If your team is going to one of these older places, first make sure it has been cleared by the state's chapter of the Environmental Protection Agency for people to be there.   Make sure there is a first aid kit on hand for any minor injuries.  Visit the location during the day if there is going to be an investigation at night.  This way, you and your team will be aware of any structural issues and what spots need to be avoided for safety's sake.  And of course, it goes without saying, (but I'll say it anyway) that a team should NEVER go to a location without express written permission from the owner with law enforcement having been contacted prior if the location is otherwise abandoned.

Clients that give cause for concern are another issue that should be addressed.  The pre-investigation screening and interviews of the clients should weed out any potential problems, but there is always the possibility of dealing with someone that is mentally unstable.  This can lead to problems that are simply annoying to downright dangerous.  For this reason, investigators should never be left alone by themselves in any part of the property.  This will deter an unbalanced person from trying to accuse the team of theft or inappropriate behavior.  There should also be a password that will alert all team members to pack up and leave a location immediately if an emergency  situation arises because of a client.

Again, I want to stress that I am not putting down people who take measures to protect against the possibilities of negative spirits.  There is nothing in the world wrong with having a protection prayer before investigating or whatever ritual brings peace of mind.  I'm not going to say that the possibility of negative spirits is complete bullshit simply because I am not going to presume to know everything.   In my opinion though, there needs to be more of an emphasis on the real risks rather than the possibilities of spirits attaching themselves.

For the love of Pete, we are NOT warriors!  We are researchers.  We are learning every day, or at least we're supposed to be.  Enough of the "you don't know what you're messing with!!" attitude.  Just be smart, be aware, and be careful.   And always be more wary of the living than fearful of the dead.