IS IT REALLY HAUNTED?

Sometimes strange activity falls between the simple logical and the supernatural. When things such as the foundation settling, other people at the location, or tree branches tapping the windows, don't work, there are more subtle and less obvious non-paranormal possibilities that people might miss.

A cold spot in the house doesn't necessarily have to be just under an air conditioning vent or at a drafty door or window. Drafts from AC vents and wall openings will sometimes follow walls and contours in the building creating a cold spot away from the source. This scenario can also explain the movement of light objects such as paper on a desk or clothes hanging on the back of a chair moving well away from the draft source.

Doors can easily be opened or closed by the pressure change in a building caused by air conditioning, or by doors opening and closing elsewhere in the building. Doors and windows also can make creaking and popping sounds caused by humidity or the sun shine moving onto or off of them. This creaking and popping can sound a lot like someone walking.

Hearing voices? If you have a chimney, it could be doing the talking. Even a light breeze over the chimney opening outside can cause sounds. Sometimes these sounds resemble whistling, whispering, low mumbling, or even screams. This can be truly tricky in places that get inconsistent bursts of wind.

Aside from thin walls and poor sound-proofing, adjoined buildings such as townhouses and offices may even share ducting that can carry voices from elsewhere. Also be aware of where your children's electronic talking toys may be.

Shadows and strange lights can be caused by less than obvious means also. Remember every light source in an area casts its own shadow, and every light source can be reflected off many different kinds of surfaces sometimes multiple times. Depending on the angles and intensity of the light, you can get shadows and lights in some unlikely places.

There are surely hundreds of additional scenarios that can mimic paranormal activity. Explore every angle before you deem a location haunted. There is no reason for anyone to feel frightened or uncomfortable in their home or workplace if there is a logical explanation to be had.

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