Safety & Spiritual Protection
Investigations often happen at night, in the dark, in places you don't know well. That combination creates real risks. Before you think about spirits, think about stairs, loose boards, and extension cords.
Scout the location in daylight. Whenever possible, walk through the property during the day before the investigation. Look for hazards you won't see well in the dark:
Uneven floors, broken steps, or missing railings
Holes, weak floors, or soft spots in older buildings
Exposed nails, broken glass, or sharp metal
Low ceilings, beams, and doorways
Pets, livestock, or wildlife on the property
Older farmhouses and outbuildings across the Panhandle can hide surprises — wasps' nests, rodents, and yes, the occasional snake in a barn or crawl space. Watch where you step and where you put your hands.
Bring the right gear. A basic safety kit should include:
A reliable flashlight for every person, plus spare batteries
A first aid kit
A fully charged cell phone
Sturdy closed-toe shoes and long pants
Gloves and a dust mask for dusty or dirty locations
Water and a snack
A portable carbon monoxide detector (more on this in Chapter 4)
Know the conditions. Texas weather can change fast. Check the forecast for storms, high winds, or extreme heat or cold. Know where you'll take shelter if severe weather moves in.
Keep lights handy. Investigating in the dark is common, but never move around in total darkness. Turn on a flashlight whenever you walk, especially on stairs. Lights-off sessions should happen while seated in a safe spot.
Manage cables and equipment. Tape down cords or run them along walls. Set tripods where people won't trip over them. Let everyone know where equipment is placed.
Know your exits. Before the lights go down, every team member should know at least two ways out of the building and where everyone will meet if you need to leave quickly.
Respect your limits. Long nights wear people down. Fatigue makes people clumsy and more likely to misread what they see and hear. Take breaks, drink water, and call it a night when the team is tired.
Take health seriously. If anyone feels sick, dizzy, short of breath, or develops a headache that won't go away, stop and get to fresh air. Don't assume it's paranormal. If symptoms are serious, call 911.
Trust your gut about people, too. Occasionally a location feels unsafe for very ordinary reasons — someone who shouldn't be there, an unstable situation, or a structure that just isn't sound. If something feels wrong, leave. You can always come back.
Safety isn't the exciting part of the job, but it's the part that lets you come home and investigate again another day.