Haunted House Survival Guide

You’ve just entered a dim, shadowy hallway, the air heavy with the scent of forgotten secrets. It’s the season of the wicked, and eerie thrills are calling. You've always wondered — how would you handle a real haunted house? Would you be the bold, unflinching guide, or would the faintest ghostly sound send you fleeing toward the door?

Each creak and sudden drop in temperature feels like a challenge to your composure. A haunted house isn’t just a test of courage — it plays with your grip on reality. Are those footsteps merely the house shifting, or something far more sinister? With Halloween upon us, there’s no better time to discover just how long you can hold your ground in the dark, haunted corners of a spectral dwelling.

Before you even consider entering a haunted house, keep this in mind: the key to surviving the experience is knowing the lay of the land, packing like a paranormal expert, and never going solo. Don't know what you need to become the last one standing. We do. We've got the tips and the tools that can keep you safe and help find a way out of this nightmare.

Rescue Essentials can help you defy the odds, survive and escape to be scared another day.

Step 1: Stay calm, assess your surroundings and listen carefully.

Panic can easily cloud your thinking. Take a moment to breathe deeply and stay as calm as you can. Scan the area for exits, windows, and potential hiding spots. Get to know the layout of the house, and stay alert to any sounds around you. If something strange catches your ear, try to pinpoint its source and steer clear of that area if you can.

Have the tools to help you see what is happening around you. Glasses that don't fog up when you sweat, are scratch resistant and perfect for indoor use so your eyes are wide open at all times. A headlamp or flashlight that is shock and crushproof is a must when in a dark and ominous place. But if a jump scare does occur, don't let it frighten you to death. Make sure you have a medical device that can shock you back to life.

Step 2: Stay together, keep moving and trust your instincts.

If you’re with others, stay close for safety — there’s strength in numbers. If an opportunity to escape presents itself, don’t hesitate. Staying in one spot too long can be risky. If something feels off, trust your instincts and take action.

Remember, the goal is to stay safe, but also find a way out. Having all your gear at the ready for whoever may need them could make for a quick escape. Keep your cell phone, walkie-talkie or any communication device close to your chest with a harness that also can hold a variety of other necessary tools and supplies. If you find yourself trapped without an immediate means of release, having a bag or pack large enough to hold food, water, a blanket, batteries, matches, pepper spray and more will help you on the long haul.

Step 3: Find a safe place, avoid confrontation and get your defense ready.

If you feel in danger, find a room with a door that can be locked. Should you come across anything supernatural or threatening, avoid confrontation at all costs. Stay quiet and out of sight. Get any items that could help you defend yourself or make an escape, such as a knife, your phone, or tools to break a window.

 A good knife can serve various purposes like cutting, self-defense or tool usage. An ax is definitely the right tool for breaking down a door to escape or fending off those things that lurk in the shadows. A car escape tool isn't only for breaking car windows, use it to break any type of window that's between you and freedom.

Step 4: Be careful, watch yourself and make smart choices.

There is no guarantee that a hero will come to your rescue, so take care of yourself and stay alive at all costs. Don't let bruises, burns, cuts, and scratches slow you down.

When you're on the defense, make sure to have a good first aid kit at the ready to keep you moving. And an easy-to-use pressure wrap is a must to keep you from bleeding out. At some point you also will get some sort of cut to show how narrowly you escaped a sketchy situation. So keep those scrapes, scratches and cuts patched up with an assortment of bandages.

Step 5: Signal for help, use your environment and plan your escape.

If you have a phone, try calling for help. If not, make noise to alert someone outside, but be careful not to draw attention from whatever may be lurking inside. Use furniture or nearby objects to create barriers or distractions if possible. Identify the quickest escape route, and wait for the right moment to make your move.

A safety whistle is a quick way to signal for help when you find yourself all alone or when seeking assistance from those outside. Don't miss what may be your only chance to escape because you're tired and hungry. You don't know how long your imprisonment may last, having water and snacks handy can make a huge difference when seconds count.