As the beginning of fall rolls around, so does all of the fun — and not so fun — fall activities. Haunted houses appear to be one of the most popular events that are held, specifically within the first month of fall, in honor of Halloween. However, the whole concept of haunted houses seems a bit foolish. One can’t possibly enjoy a complete stranger, invading their personal space in attempt to scare them.

“I really don’t like haunted houses, because instead of having a fun scare like most people that go into them, I often feel really panicked and anxious,” sophomore Emily Ostrowski said.

In 2014, a woman from Pontiac, Mi. suffered from several fractures due to being pushed around in a haunted house and slipping. That is only one of many injuries caused and lawsuits made against haunted houses. A haunted house’s purpose is for the enjoyment of the people that choose to partake in them, not for them to risk their lives.

However, some haunted houses employees take their scares too far. They scream out rude comments at the customers and target those that are clearly terrified and extremely anxious, making matters worse. Not to mention that these workers are complete strangers, meaning that no one knows what their intentions are or what they are truly capable of. The fact that the employees even find the slightest bit of joy in terrifying people is quite concerning as well.

“I think there is a fine line between giving people the scares they came for and making them genuinely terrified, and making them regret going in the first place,” Ostrowski said.

Haunted houses are also extremely overpriced. The price of the tickets for haunted houses can cost up to, or over, 65 dollars. The scares are not worth anywhere near that sum of money. Also, the process of waiting to enter a haunted house drags on forever. Lines for haunted houses are oftentimes longer than the time you would spend in the actual haunted house.

“I have spent over an hour in a line, for a haunted house that lasted about fifteen minutes. It was such a waste of my time,” sophomore Bailey Roberts said.

Some haunted houses even require waivers to get in, which is ridiculous. Haunted houses are meant to be fun for people and an enjoyable experience; a person’s safety should not be at risk. Haunted houses should not be so interactive to the point that there is even the slightest possibility of someone getting injured. Having to sign a waiver to enter a place that is intentionally trying to horrify people, is an immediate red flag. People should avoid haunted houses at all costs.

“The fact that some haunted houses require waivers is a bit unsettling and sketchy, it makes me wonder what they are planning on doing with the people that do sign those things,” Roberts said.