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# Hoarding and Fire Safety

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##### In this section

                - Home Fires                   - Learn About Fire
                  - Prepare for Fire
                  - Prevent Fires
                  - At-Risk Audiences                     - Children
                    - College Students
                    - Disabilities
                    - Hoarding
                    - Older Adults
                    - Smoking
                  - After a Fire
                - Arson & Youth Firesetting
                - Hotels & Vacation Rentals
                - Outdoor Fires/Wildfires
                - Vehicle Fires
                - Workplace Fires
                - Life Safety Hazards
                - Fire Is Everyone’s Fight®
                - Fire Prevention Officials
                - CRR Blog

People with hoarding disorder collect and keep items that fill up their living space to the extent that the space is no longer usable. This accumulation of material presents fire safety risks to residents and firefighters.

Did you know:

The American Psychiatric Association estimates that approximately 2.6% of people have hoarding disorder, with higher rates for people over 60 years old and people with other mental health issues.

##  Messages to share

Know the fire safety risks and how you can keep yourself and first responders safe.

### Risks

Personal items can crowd cooking equipment, making it unsafe to cook.

Personal items can crowd heating equipment, putting you at risk of having a fire.

### Difficulties for firefighters

Blocked windows and doors make it difficult for firefighters to get into your home to fight the fire and search for occupants.

Piles of belongings make it difficult for firefighters to move through your home quickly.

### Important

Always keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from cooking and heating equipment.

Keep doorways and windows clear for escape in case there is a fire. This will also prevent injuries from falling over excessive personal items.

## Social media graphics and stock photos 

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## Pictographs 

Pictographs can help overcome literacy barriers by communicating messages with pictures. Our pictographs will help you to communicate fire safety messages to high-risk populations.

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## Handouts

Customize with your logo
              -  English PDF

### More home fire safety resources

          - Fire safety for people with disabilities
          - Home fire escape plans
          - Older adult fire safety

#### Other suggested resources

          - National Fire Protection Association

Page last reviewed: April 1, 2023

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