DANGERS OF HOARDING – A FIRE HAZARD

4/29/2021 (Permalink)

Items stacked to high can cause many hazards

Hoarding Can Be Dangerous Especially When Fire is Involved

Did you know – Clutter can kill?  Surprisingly, excess clutter is a major fire hazard.

What is Hoarding?  The act of hoarding is defined as “a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs.” Staggering amounts of items crowd a given space and prevents regular use and navigation.  Hoarding of this level can lead to a serious fire risk in the home.

Fire Risks and Hoarding

Hoarding increases home fire risk in multiple ways:

• If there are combustible items in close proximity to the stove, fire potential skyrockets
• Space heaters and baseboard heaters can ignite nearby materials
• If the hoarder is also a smoker, items such as papers and fabric are easily lit
• Most importantly, exits may be hard to get to, or completely cut off by accumulated items

Hoarding Effects on First Responders

The negative effects of hoarding reach past the hoarder, they touch first responders as well.

• Firefighters cannot effectively fight the fire, or evacuate inhabitants or animals when hindered by clutter
• First responders can become trapped, as well as hurt by piles of items that may topple over
• When hoarded items become waterlogged by firefighting efforts, their weight is dramatically increased. This can lead to structural collapse if enough items are present.

Fire Risks and Fire Damage Mitigation

https://www.SERVPROnortheastcollincountygreenville.com/water-damage-cleanup

SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County / Greenville has experience with cleaning cluttered homes affected by hoarding.  If you or someone you know needs this level of professional cleaning, give us a call today.  We provide a judgment-free and thorough cleaning of any space!  Everyone deserves a home free of fire risks.

Call SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County / Greenville Today (972)548-6044!