As items pile up in a house, the hazards of hoarding increase and make living in a hoarder’s home dangerous. Hoarding becomes a safety issue as soon as an unreasonable amount of trash and items build up and make normal movement throughout the house difficult. The hazards of hoarding are:
Falling. As items, clutter, and garbage pile up, it becomes increasingly likely that someone will fall over it. The clutter itself can also fall on the occupant, causing serious injuries and potentially a loss of independence, especially in older people.
Fire Hazards. Hoarders often hold on to a large amount of flammable material (boxes, newspapers, flyers, etc). When a fire starts elsewhere in the house, these piles of flammable materials can turn into fire traps. The large amount of clutter also makes it difficult for the occupant to escape in the event of a fire.
Hazardous living conditions.In a hoarder’s home, proper cleaning and maintenance becomes impossible. Dangerous problems such as mold can spread without the knowledge of the occupant, and the weight of all the clutter can cause dangerous structural damage. /li>
Infestations.It is common for insects, rats, and other pests to live in and among the clutter in the homes of hoarders. They easily survive off of the rotting food and garbage, and have plenty of hiding spaces. Their urine, fecal matter, dander, fecal matter, and decay can build up and become airborne, making it a serious risk for the occupant.
Protect yourself or your loved ones from the hazards of hoarding. We have experience cleaning even the most extreme hoarding situations and can help. Call us today!