The most haunted places in Canada
1. The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta. There have been numerous ghost sightings and sounds heard by guests staying in the hotel. Built in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, there are stories of a bride falling to her death in the staircase, and a bellboy who also haunts the hotel.
2. The Keg Mansion in Toronto, Ontario. What is now a fan-favourite place to get delicious steak, was once a private residence owned by an industrialist. There are a few stories that have circulated, but plenty of restaurant-goers have sighted the ghostly image of a maid hanging. No thanks!
3. Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, B.C. This castle is home to a haunted-house-classic: a piano that plays all by itself.
4. The Plains of Abraham in Quebec City, Quebec. This was the location of one of the most famous battles in Canada, between the British and French armies. So, it only makes sense that people have spotted ghostly images of soldiers wondering the plains.
Making a haunted house in your garage or backyard?
Consider this: you set up a haunted maze in your backyard where there’s plenty of trees for scary “characters” to pop out and scare your friends. Let’s say that one of your friends reflexively punches said spooky character as they jump out from behind the tree, and accidentally injures themselves. While it’s not certain that they’d sue you, if they did, this is where your liability coverage on your home insurance policy would kick in.
If you’re planning on being the scariest house on the block, where there will be multiple families and kids stopping by, don’t forget to think about keeping everyone safe. Here are some quick tips to avoid any accidents:
- Keep all pathways clear (even outdoor pathways). Many trick-or-treaters will be wearing masks, limiting their visibility.
- As scary as the dark is, have a source of light.
- Keep the smoke (or dry ice) machine in one area, with a window or another way for it to clear out.
- Make sure that any string decorations or lights are up and out of the way to avoid anyone tripping over them.
- Keep decorations and lights plugged in an extension cord to a minimum (ideally three plugs) and don’t run the cord under any carpets.
- Use flameless candles instead of real ones that can present a fire risk.
- Secure any hanging decorations so you can avoid any skeletons or ghosts falling onto your guests.
It’s also a good idea to check your home insurance policy to see how you and your haunted house are covered.