Here are some tips for a Fun & Safe Ghost Hunting Expedition :

1. Never go alone on a ghost hunt. Take along a partner for safety and peace of mind.
2. Make sure all of your equipment is fully charged and that you have extra batteries available. Ghosts have the ability to drain fully charged instruments.
3. Don't walk into an area snapping pictures right off the bat. Give those ghosts that are present some time to get used to you.
4. Be aware of the surroundings for safety sake. For best results, always take a day walk through before doing a nighttime investigation, if possible. The other option would be to show up just before dark (dusk) and have a look around before starting.
5. A ghost hunter steps into an investigation/ghost hunt with the best of feelings for those that are with him/her and for the ghosts that might be present. In other words, full respect for the living and the dead.
6. Above all - NO HORSE PLAY! A serious and conscientious ghost hunter gets results.
7. Large groups should split up into smaller groups of four individuals or less per team.
8. If you are scientifically minded,.....take along a notebook to record significant occurrences. Begin by logging in the starting time and weather conditions etc. Also make note of surrounding lights so as to not confuse them with anomalies later on in the pictures. Each group should take their own notes and compare afterwards.
9. Always remember, you are the one with the body, and you are the one with the power. Don't give up your power to them through fear.
10. Keep in mind that a lot of the places you will be investigating will be secluded. Because of this you should always bring along some form of protection. I suggest pepper spray or  a stun gun. I am of course talking about protecting yourself from bad people, not bad ghosts.
11. If you feel that some unknown force wants you out of there...then by all means get out! You should never go against these feelings or you could end up having something show up at your home.
12. Make sure you have permission before entering private property such as a cemetery or abandoned house. I know how tempting this can be for a ghost hunter to do. Just remember this though, when you are caught sneaking around, it makes the ghost hunting community as a whole look bad. You could also be fined or jailed

Standards and Protocol of Ghost Hunting :

1. Avoid taking pictures in the rain or when it’s snowing or foggy. Moisture or precipitation in the air can and will cause artificial anomalies to appear on film. Also remember that precipitation is in the air before & after a storm.
2. Do not smoke during an investigation. Also stay away from lit barbeques and open campfires. In other words, avoid smoke, flames.
3. Hold your breath when snapping photos on a cold night. Exhaled breath can show up as a mist or fog on film.
4. Tie long hair back so it doesn’t show up in front of the lens.
5. Know where your camera strap is at all times. Either have it around your neck or take it off. Also be mindful of a tangling lens cover.
6. Avoid taking pictures during any adverse weather conditions. Including windy days.
7. Stay off private property unless you have permission.
8. Never go on an investigation alone. Particularly in a secluded area.
9. Make sure your camera lens is clean. A smudge can look like an anomaly.
10. Know where your fingers are and keep them away from the lens.
11. Avoid taking pictures of shinny objects. This means glass, mirrors, reflective objects and anything that shines or that could cause a reflection
12. If you are using a camera with night settings, use that setting when taking pictures in the evening and inside of dark buildings.
13. Avoid lens flair. Never take pictures in the direction of the sun or a strong light source. Try to have light sources behind you when snapping a picture.
14. No horse play during an investigation.
15. Never dare spirits to come around. You might get your wish and they aren't always friendly during these situations.
16. Promote positive energy during an investigation or ghost hunt. The good ghosts will sense fear and stay away out of kindness and the bad ones will feed off of your fear. Either way, for best results and safety, always go into an investigation with positive & compassionate feelings. In other words think happy thoughts.
17. Let the ghosts know what you are doing and why you are there. Invite them to have their picture taken.
18. Be objective about the things you encounter! Try to find other rational for everything. If there is no other explanation for what you witness, you may be on to something!
19. It's always a good idea to keep a cell phone with you just in case.
20. A ghost hunt is no place for cigarettes and alcohol. Cigarette smoke looks like ghostly forms in photos and alcohol can distort your senses. That also goes for any other mind altering substances.