A WOMAN who thought her house was being haunted by ghosts has revealed that the truth behind the eerie noises she was hearing is far more frightening.
Emma Reid, 57, had been hearing spooky moans, groans and whispers in her house for months.
A mum has revealed that she was convinced her house had been haunted by ghosts[/caption]
The noises started after her father-in-law, who used to live in the home with her, passed away, which led Emma to believe that he was haunting her.
One day, Emma’s 12-year-old daughter got locked out of the home, when her key snapped in the lock.
When Emma, from Cardiff, arrived home, and let her daughter inside, they smelled a strong odour of gas.
It turned out, that the family cat had accidentally turned on the hob by mistake, and if Emma’s daughter had managed to get in the home, and turned the switch on, things could have ended badly.
Emma read the fact that her daughter’s key broke as a sign from her father-in-law, who she believed was trying to warn and protect the family.
In the weeks after this incident, the house was haunted by moaning, banging and whispering sounds, especially when Emma was inside on her own.
The noises were so spooky, that they put the cat of his dinner, but the family tried to get used to the noises, as they were convinced it was the father-in-law’s ghost.
However, it turned out that the noises weren’t a ghost at all, and were being caused by the boiler, which was leaking carbon monoxide.
Spending time in a room affected by carbon monoxide can lead to headaches, dizziness, and vomiting.
Large exposures can lead to loss of consciousness, seizures and even death.
“We were lucky,” Emma told Wales Online. “What we thought was a ghost could have been a real threat to our safety.”
October is the peak of boiler breakdown season, with Checkatrade reporting a 76% rise in demand for boiler services from September to October last year.
As Halloween looms, homeowners are urged to service their boilers, to prevent any hauntings from carbon monoxide.
Emma Grant, Head of Trade Experience at Checkatrade, commented: “Emma’s experience reminds us that sometimes the scariest things in our homes aren’t ghosts, but faulty boilers.
Experts reveal the five hidden reasons why people think they SEE ghosts – and they prove the apparitions aren’t real
Scientists have revealed the five reasons that people think they see ghosts:
- Electromagnetic Fields (EMF): High levels of EMF can cause people to feel uneasy, anxious, or even hallucinate, potentially explaining ghostly experiences.
- Infrasound: Low-frequency sounds, which are often imperceptible to the human ear, can create feelings of discomfort or fear and may be mistaken for paranormal activity.
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to hallucinations, feelings of paranoia, and an overall sense of dread, possibly being misinterpreted as ghostly encounters.
- Mould: Certain types of mould can affect the human brain, leading to symptoms like irrational fear and hallucinations, which might be perceived as ghost sightings.
- Psychological Factors: The power of suggestion, cultural influences, and personal beliefs can all contribute to the perception of ghostly phenomena.
“Many homeowners underestimate the importance of regular maintenance, which can prevent dangerous situations like gas leaks and carbon monoxide exposure.
“As we enter the peak season for boiler breakdowns, Checkatrade urges all homeowners to schedule a professional boiler service with a trusted tradesperson to ensure their safety during the colder months.”
Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@the-sun.co.uk and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.
