Haunted house facts for kids
A haunted house is a building where people believe strange, unexplainable things happen. These events are often called supernatural, meaning they are beyond what science can easily explain. Many people think haunted houses are home to ghosts or the spirits of people who have died.
Sometimes, stories about a house being haunted start after something sad or violent has happened there. In books and movies, especially gothic fiction (a style of writing that often includes mystery and horror), haunted houses are usually old castles or spooky, abandoned homes. You can also find haunted houses as fun attractions at amusement parks, especially around Halloween.
Scientists have looked into why people report seeing or hearing strange things in these houses. One idea is that harmful gases, like carbon monoxide from old appliances, can make people have hallucinations. Another possible reason is infrasound, which is a very low-frequency sound that humans can't hear but can affect us in strange ways.
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The Carbon Monoxide Idea
Many houses believed to be haunted have been checked by experts. They sometimes find high levels of carbon monoxide or other poisonous gases. These gases can make people feel sick or even see and hear things that aren't really there. This is called having hallucinations.
The carbon monoxide idea helps explain why older houses are often called haunted. Older homes might have heating systems or appliances that are not working perfectly. These faulty appliances can leak carbon monoxide. It also explains why more "hauntings" are reported in colder months when people use their heaters more often.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause many of the strange things people report in haunted houses. This includes feeling like someone is watching you, hearing footsteps or voices, or even seeing "ghosts." It can also cause headaches, dizziness, and make people or pets suddenly sick. Pets might even act strangely, like barking or meowing a lot.
This idea also explains why some "ghosts" don't show up in photos or videos. Pictures that seem to show ghosts are often caused by dust, insects, or even a finger in front of the camera lens. Sometimes, it's just a trick of light or a multiple exposure (when a camera takes more than one picture on the same frame).
Other Reasons for Strange Events
Many sounds heard in a "haunted" house are actually quite normal. For example, sounds that seem like footsteps could be caused by small animals like squirrels or raccoons moving around in the walls or attic. If these animals die inside the house, they can also create unusual smells that people might link to ghosts.
Doors that seem to close by themselves can often be explained by wind or drafts. Moving shadow figures might just be the headlights of cars passing by outside, shining through a window. Sometimes, normal sounds from outside the house can be mistaken for sounds coming from inside.
Even sounds made by everyday things like electronics, water pipes, refrigerators, or heating and air conditioning systems can be misunderstood. These common noises can sometimes sound like something paranormal, especially if you are already expecting strange things to happen.
Other pages
- Spiritual séance
Images for kids
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The house featured by the movie The Amityville Horror and made famous by demonologists Ed and Loraine Warren, built c. 1924. By the time this photograph was taken, the address had been changed to discourage ghost hunters.
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Casa Loma, Toronto.
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The Wukang Mansion, Shanghai.
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Fuji-Q – Super Scary Labyrinth of Fear, haunted hospital.
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See also
In Spanish: Casa embrujada para niños
