HOARDING CAN BE A FIRE HAZARD

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Hoarding – The Fire Dangers

Hoarding Can Be Dangerous Especially When Fire is Involved

It is surprising how many people do not understand the dangers of clutter and hoarding. Excess clutter and even hoarding 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, irrespective of actual value, occurs.” Staggering amounts of items crowd a given space and prevents regular use and navigation. Excessive hoarding can lead to a serious fire risk in the home.

Fire Risks and Hoarding

Unfortunately, the hoarding raises the fire risk of the home in many 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

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 clutter impedes their path
• 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.

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!