THE DANGERS OF HOARDING

Hoarders collect and fail to discard a large number of possessions that invade living spaces in such a way that people can no longer live in them. They are emotionally attached to their collections and can compromise their own safety just to hold on to those items. It is sometimes extremely difficult to convince hoarders to clean up their homes. But when safety concerns reach their peak, cleaning up a hoarded home is immediately required. Here are the dangers of hoarding:

HOARDING DANGERS

• Fires
• Fire is the main danger in a hoarded home. This is because much of the clutter consists of flammable materials such as books, magazines, chairs, chemicals, and more.
• Fires can also occur when flammable materials cover a heat vent. Overcrowded outlets and damaged wires are also fire risks in hoarded homes.
• Pests such as rats can live inside walls and chew on the wiring, causing electrical failures and possibly fires.
• Clutter obstructs residents in case of a fire. In addition, First Responders may not be able to navigate a hoarded home to rescue residents if the clutter blocks entrances or pathways.

• Injuries
• Walking in a cluttered home is difficult and can result in injuries like falls and trips. The more contents there are in a home, the greater the likelihood of injuries occurring.
• Depending on the number of contents in the home, piles can become as high as ceilings and can collapse and cause injury. Trying to walk through a crowded room can make occupants lose balance and grab a pile that can fall on them.
• There is also the danger of getting trapped under debris and contents.

• Health hazards
• Diseases – As hoarders often ignore cleanliness in their homes, many kinds of biohazards such as bodily fluids can be present. Pests like rats and cockroaches can infest the home increasing the chance of infecting the home with diseases.
• Mold – Unseen water problems, e.g., a pipe burst, combined with various organic material can cause mold growth. Hoarders also have difficulty throwing away food which can result in mold infestation. Mold can cause respiratory and other health problems, especially to sensitive individuals.
• Other airborne dangers – Clutter brings dust, odors, and ammonia from decaying waste products. These can cause serious air quality issues in the hoarder’s home. It may be difficult to breathe and respiratory problems may develop for both people and pets.

• Structural integrity – Homes and apartments are not built to withstand the overwhelming weight of the excessive contents hoarders put in them. Over time, hoarding can cause damage to the building itself.
• Building maintenance – Technicians are not able to perform necessary maintenance on HVAC equipment and sprinkler systems, creating a safety hazard.

Call PuroClean of Massapequa 24/7 for Clean-Outs and Pack Outs in a Hoarding situation. We will de-clutter the home, and pack up the salvageable items, inventory them, and temporarily move them to a secure location. Then all the contents in the house are disinfected thoroughly: ceilings, fan blades, baseboards, toilets, bathtubs, showers, etc. We will also perform Fire, Water, Mold or Biohazard Damage Restoration, and much more. We will also perform Fire, Water, Mold or Biohazard Damage Restoration, and much more. Then all the contents in the house are disinfected thoroughly: ceilings, fan blades, baseboards, toilets, bathtubs, showers, etc. (516) 604-1200