I know Halloween is over, but is it ever really over? I don't think so. Spooky movies—old and new—play almost every day on one or another channel. They are there at your demand. Therefore, I thought it might be a good time for some practical advice for the average Joe to avoid being cornered and abducted by vampires, werewolves, witches, zombies, you name it. They won't necessarily come from your television, but be near, waiting for a victim to pass by. Those creatures are always up to no good. You might be, too, if you put yourself in harm's way, where one or more are rumored to roam. The above necromancers would like nothing more than to drink your blood, infect you with zombie disease, change you into a fellow werewolf, or put a hex on you.
The following advice should not be taken lightly.
Never, never go upstairs inside an abandoned house or building, unless you have a parachute. It's not easy to get out upper floor windows, and more than likely, your way up is probably the only way down. The other thing is the parachute won't open in time to break your fall. Dittos for basements, unless you plan to dig your way out. Not recommended. If steps creak, either going up or down, stay off them. They may fail at any moment, and you will plunge into an abandoned dungeon. Perhaps a lethal trap, one designed by Vincent Price. Even if it's not a trap, the noise you make will alert other worldly entities nearby. Needless to say, don't go anywhere that is not well lit. If the place you are about to explore looks creepy, it probably is. If the place has no electricity, get out fast! There is a reason old, creepy places don't have electricity.
And don't look for secret passages. If you happen to find one, stay out. Secret doors have a tendency to creep open without warning and close and lock suddenly with you inside. There is a reason they are called "secret." You don't belong inside. Even as an escape route, secret passages should be avoided. The entire structure should be bypassed.
Think of all the movies you watched and novels you read. How many times does your stomach get queasy or your heart flutter when a character tiptoes up or down a winding staircase or inadvertently presses a hidden button to release the catch on a hidden door? Then why be tempted to tiptoe up or down or follow a passage hidden inside a wall?
Another thing. Don't pick up anything with the intent of taking it home. That ring, bracelet or necklace, that first edition copy of a book you've always wanted in your collection might be cursed. Or it might have an entity attached to it that will haunt you after you get home. I'm told on good advice that such entities are difficult to get rid of. They might like your place. They might even like you and decide to hang around for a hundred years or so and keep you close.