Hoarding and cluttered homes

Hoarding/Clutter

Hoarding is a mental health condition that means collecting and keeping large quantities of items.

Whilst this may seem like a harmless thing to do, it can create a serious Fire Risk.

The hoarded items, particularly if they made from flammable materials, create an environment for fires to not only start, but also to spread very easily and quickly. Fire escape routes become comprised and quite often the hoarders themselves will not be able to gain access to their bedroom, so will sleep in a small, confined space elsewhere in the property. It is important for the Fire Service to where the person is sleeping, so that if a fire should happen in their home, a fire fighter will be able to locate them more quickly in order to rescue them. To enter a hoarded property that is on fire is also a considerable risk to the Fire Fighters themselves, so knowing this information will enable them to get in and out of the property as quickly as possible.

Hoarding and Mental Health

• A hoarding disorder is where someone acquires an excessive number of items and stores them in a chaotic manner, usually resulting in unmanageable amounts of clutter. The items can be of little or no monetary value.
• Hoarding can cause a problem if the amount of clutter interferes with everyday living and the clutter is causing significant distress or negatively affecting the quality of life. (NHS definition)
• In 2018 The World Health Organisation classified hoarding disorder as a separate mental illness as it used to be considered a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Aside from being a mental health disorder, hoarding can be a symptom of other conditions such as PTSD, Autism and also often linked to bereavement and loss.

As we are aware Hoarding poses a huge fire risk as it can:

• Increase the likelihood of fire due to combustibles around heat sources, hidden electrical items and unusual heating methods.
• Impact on the ability for the occupier to escape.
• Due to high fire loading there will be a more intense and fast spread of fire.
• Concerns around limited access, hoarding collapse and inability to locate an occupier.
• A higher chance of neighbouring properties being adversely affected.
• A risk to those responding to the emergency.

Clutter Image Ratings (CIRs)

We use the Clutter Image Rating scales when assessing clutter levels in a property:

Clutter Image Ratings – Hoarding Disorders UK

This is a common assessment tool used by multiple agencies to describe clutter levels in a property. They are also a consistent way of monitoring any changes to the levels.

The scales remove any bias and opinion such as “This is the worst I have ever seen.”

Many of our cases are complex, and due to the complexities of hoarding it is not always easy to progress. We seek support from partner agencies including housing, social care and environmental health and referring to mental health services.

 The Hoarding Framework

Multi Agency Hoarding Framework

The Hoarding framework, which launched over a year ago, has been developed to support a multi-agency approach to Hoarding. It seeks to embed a coordinated approach to reducing the impact of hoarding on individuals, their families, and the local community. The Framework should maximise the use of existing services and resources. We will continue to ensure a ‘person centred approach’ when working to improve health, safety and wellbeing tailored to meet the needs if an individual.

Support links

For more information and support with hoarding, please visit:

https://hoardinguk.org/

https://helpforhoarders.co.uk/

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/hoarding/about-hoarding/

https://hoardingdisordersuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/clutter-image-ratings.pdf

Hoarding Safety Tips:

• Whether you use a traditional oven and hob, or other methods of cooking like a portable stove, make it a priority to keep the cooking area clear.
• Do not place items on, or close to heaters, lamps, or other electrical equipment.
• Do not store gas cylinders in your home as they are a serious hazard during a fire. If you have a medical need for gas cylinders, you require oxygen for example, they should be kept upright and outdoors where possible. Do not store cylinders in basements, under stairs or in cupboards with electric meters/equipment.
• If you smoke, use a proper ashtray that won’t burn and put it on a flat, stable surface so that it can’t fall over easily. Do not leave your lit cigarettes unattended.
• Put candles or tea lights in heat resistant holders that hold the candle or tea light firmly. Ensure the holder is placed on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface. Keep candles and tea lights away from anything that can catch fire, and never leave them unattended.
• Make sure you have a working smoke alarm and test it as part of your regular clearance sessions.
• Plan and practise how to escape from your home if there were a fire. Choose an escape route and keep it clear of possessions – in the event of a fire this will help you to escape quickly or allow firefighters to reach you if you are unable to escape.
• Ensure possessions are stored on stable surfaces and do not stack items to a height that they become unstable – they could fall over blocking your escape.
• Newspapers and mail stored in bulk are highly combustible and will cause a fire to spread rapidly. Sort mail and newspapers on the day you receive them and recycle them on a regular basis.
• In the event of a fire, do not attempt to put it out yourself – leave your home straight away and call the fire & rescue service once you are safely outside. Do not stop on your way out to collect possessions and do not go back inside once you have escaped.