Hoarding

If you are concerned about someone that hoards items please help them by offering the following home safety advice:

• Help them to plan and practice the escape from their home in the case of a fire. Encourage them to keep their escape route clear of possessions.
• Advise them that in the event of a fire, they must not attempt to put it out themselves. They need to get out, stay out and call 999.
• They must not stop on their way out to collect possessions.
• Whether they use a traditional oven/hob, or other methods of cooking like a portable stove, encourage them to make it a priority to keep the cooking area clear.
• They must not place items on, or close to heaters, lamps or other electrical equipment.
• They must not store cylinders in their home as they are a serious hazard during a fire. If they have a medical need for cylinders, they should be kept upright and outdoors where possible – cylinders must not be stored in basements, under stairs or in cupboards with electric meters/equipment.
• If they smoke, make sure they use a proper ashtray that won’t burn and that it is placed on a flat, stable surface so that it can’t tip over easily. They must not leave lit cigarettes unattended.
• Newspapers and mail stored in bulk are highly combustible and will cause a fire to spread rapidly. Encourage them to sort mail and newspapers on the day they receive them and recycle them on a regular basis.
• Check whether possessions are stored on stable surfaces and that items aren’t stacked to a height that they become unstable – they could fall over blocking their escape.
• Push the Button! – Make sure they have working smoke alarms and that they test them every week. We can fit them where required.
• If they use candles/tea lights ensure that they use heat resistant holders that hold them firmly and that they are placed on a flat, stable, heat resistant surface. They must keep candles/tea lights away from anything that can catch fire, and never leave them unattended.