When Hoarding Clutter Becomes a Danger

Do you know people that struggle with some form of hoarding? If this problem is not kept under control, it could have devastating effects on the individual and their home.

Hoarding is a disorder in which people become extreme collectors of anything including personal items, trash, and even animals.  When the hoard becomes too large, it causes problems that include increased health risks and other personal safety risks.  It is important to be able to notice the signs of hoarding and help those who struggle with it before hoarding clutter becomes a danger.

Personal Safety

Overflowing clutter can create a breeding ground for accidents. Trips, falls, and other injuries become more likely as pathways become obstructed and unstable piles accumulate. Large hoards often disrupt the flow of the house by blocking off certain passageways and exits.  In extreme cases, clutter can even obstruct exits, posing a significant threat during emergencies like fires or earthquakes. This creates a dangerous situation because the weight of the hoard can lead to structural damages within the home and if the hoard is blocking exits, it could turn emergency situations deadly.  There is also a risk of parts of the hoard falling over on people within the house.

Biohazard Danger

Intense hoarding almost always leads to unsanitary living conditions because cleaning the house around the hoard is impossible and the buildup of the clutter can result in mold growth or other biohazards from garbage and animal corpses or feces.  These conditions can lead to a range of health problems such as allergies and respiratory issues.  If the hoard contains a good amount of garbage, this could also attract infestations from insects, rats, and other pests.  When cleaning out a hoarder’s home, make sure to contact a company that specializes in biohazard cleanup and removal to remove all biohazards and restore the sanitary conditions of the home.

Fire Hazard

Large hoards greatly increase the risk of a house fire because they typically contain materials such as paper, clothing, and garbage that are very flammable. These seemingly innocuous items, when tightly packed within clutter, become fuel for a fire waiting for the slightest spark to ignite. Due to the compact nature of hoarded clutter, fires have the potential to escalate at an alarming rate. The dense accumulation of materials provides ample opportunities for flames to catch onto adjacent items, rapidly intensifying the fire’s heat and reach. In such a scenario, the time window for safe evacuation becomes dangerously narrow.

In a fire, the threat is not only from the flames themselves but also from the smoke and toxic fumes generated. Clutter can hinder ventilation, causing smoke to accumulate rapidly, reducing visibility and impairing breathing. Toxic substances released by burning clutter can further endanger the health of those trapped within the conflagration.

Hoarding-induced fire hazards also extend beyond the residents themselves. First responders, such as firefighters and emergency personnel, may encounter difficulties in navigating through cluttered environments. This delay in access can lead to prolonged response times, further exacerbating the perilous situation and hampering rescue efforts.

Animal Hoarding

Some cases of hoarding may involve animal hoarding which presents even more potential hazards.  Large animal populations in the home will produce enough waste to create unhealthy conditions and lead to starvation, disease, and death among the animals.  The accumulated waste will also boost ammonia levels which can be very dangerous to the health of those in the home.  Dead and decomposing animals create a biohazard danger as well and they must be removed by a specialized professional.

The problems described here are generally the result of extreme hoarding and they will occur if the problem is not addressed.  When helping someone who struggles with hoarding, it is important to have patience and be sensitive because hoarders become emotionally attached to everything in their hoard.  Cleaning out their homes can be an emotionally intense experience for them and approaching them with a sense of compassion can help them handle these changes.  It is recommended to call a professional cleaning company that specializes in biohazard cleanup and removal to ensure that the entire hoard is removed and the home is restored to a sanitary condition.

About Beth Markowski-Roop

Beth Markowski-Roop is an experienced and knowledgeable professional in the disaster restoration industry for over 12 years since 2012. She has a proven track record in marketing, sales, public relations, and media. Beth is an engaging public speaker and has led workshops and seminars in various industries. She has worked with ServiceMaster Restore and ServiceMaster Clean as a Business Development Manager and Field Marketing Manager, providing support to franchise owners. Beth is currently the Marketing & Sales Director for ServiceMaster By Mason, focusing on disaster restoration and floorcare services. She also works closely with hoarding clients and conducts seminars on the hoarding disorder.