The Dangers of Hoarding: A Closer Look at the Associated Risks

Hoarding is more than just living in a cluttered space. It’s a serious condition that can spiral out of control, leading to often dangerous consequences for those affected and their loved ones. In the UK 1.4 million people live with a type of hoarding disorder (HD). Hoarding disorder, which is often linked to anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), involves an overwhelming urge to accumulate items—sometimes to the point of creating severe health and safety risks.

Several TV shows have highlighted the disorder to the British public, such as the BBC documentaries ‘My Hoarder Mum and Me’ and ‘Britain’s Biggest Hoarders’, hosted by Jasmine Harman, and Channel 4’s ‘Hoarder SOS’.

In this blog, we’ll explore the dangers of hoarding, the associated risks, and how it affects individuals, their homes, and those around them.

 

What is Hoarding Disorder?

Hoarding disorder is characterised by the persistent difficulty of discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. For a hoarder, these items may provide a sense of security or control, but they can quickly become overwhelming, creating physical and emotional barriers in their life.

People with the condition often suffer from other disorders which can be a factor in their hoarding disorder, with 58% of those who hoard having either ADHD or bipolar disorder. The thought of discarding items can often lead to feelings of severe anxiety, which can lead to long-term clutter accumulation. And with only 5% of hoarders receiving help from professionals, it can be difficult for a hoarder to get the help they need.

 

The Dangers of Hoarding: Health and Safety Risks in a Hoarder’s Home

A hoarder house is often cluttered to the point where it becomes hazardous, both for personal wellbeing and structurally. These homes present numerous risks:

  1. Fire Hazards: Piles of paper, clothing, and other flammable materials create a significant fire risk. The excessive clutter makes it difficult for emergency personnel to access the home, further endangering lives in the event of a fire. Research from ITV News shows that the number of people who have died in a hoarding-related house fire has gone up by 38% in the past five years alone!
  2. Biohazards: In extreme cases, hoarded items may include chemicals, dead animals, mice and rats, and other hazardous materials. These can pose serious health risks, as decomposing matter and chemical spills can lead to contamination of the living space.
  3. Mould and Water Damage: Poor maintenance, clutter blocking access to pipes, or neglect can result in water leaks and mould growth. Mould spores can exacerbate respiratory conditions and allergies, especially in children and the elderly.
  4. Structural Damage: The sheer weight of hoarded items can compromise the structural integrity of a home, causing floors to collapse or ceilings to sag. This can result in significant damage, making the property unsafe to live in.
  5. Risks to Children and Pets: Hoarder houses can be extremely dangerous for children and pets. Cluttered environments create tripping hazards, blocked exits, and exposure to biohazards, increasing the risk of injury or illness. The confined, chaotic space can also lead to emotional trauma for children growing up in such environments.

 

Personal and Emotional Impact

For hoarders, the clutter is not just a physical problem—it’s deeply personal and emotional. The connection to their belongings often stems from feelings of anxiety and depression. These emotions make it difficult to part with items, even when it becomes evident that the clutter is impacting their quality of life. The sense of shame, embarrassment, and isolation that accompanies hoarding often worsens mental health conditions, leading to a vicious cycle that is hard to break.

Hoarders may also face homelessness due to lease violations if their property becomes too hazardous. Many leases include clauses that mandate proper upkeep of the premises. If a home becomes cluttered beyond reasonable measures, it can lead to eviction, pushing individuals out of their homes and into even more stressful situations.

 

Cleanup and Clearance Services

Given the potential dangers and the scale of hoarding problems, the cleanup process often requires professional help. Cleanup of a hoarder’s home is not as simple as tidying up, these spaces may require specialist clearance services to address biohazards, chemicals, and structural damage.

Cleanup Procedures:

Many individuals and businesses may not fully understand their legal responsibilities when it comes to rubbish disposal. This ignorance often leads to illegal dumping of household appliances, hazardous items, or general waste, without recognising the penalties they could face. Proper awareness and education are crucial in combating this issue.

  1. Contact: The first port of call would be to research a trusted cleanup and clearance company that specialises in hoarding clearance. A company that has vetted and monitored staff, that have experience not just in clearances but the reassurance through what can be a traumatic experience for anyone involved.
  2. Assessment: A professional team assesses the home for biohazards, fire risks, and structural damage, making sure the removal/decluttering of the property is done in a safe and ethical manner, ensuring a smooth process.
  3. Identifying: Make sure what is being removed is agreed on to achieve the end goal of a safe, liveable environment. This could be the removal of hoarded items such as newspapers, clothes or other multiple objects, or a full property clearance as the property is to be relet or sold.
  4. Decluttering: Every hoarded property clearance is bespoke to everyone’s needs. It may be difficult for the person to remove items that have brought a sense of security.
  5. Reuse: Not all hoarded properties are cluttered with waste or unusable items, in some cases. It could be mass collections that have a value, either being donated to charity or sold at auction.
  6. Cleanup/Reorganise: Once all areas have been decluttered and/or cleared, we progress to reorganising the property so that it can be loved once again. This can be done by configuring furniture throughout the house and the layout of the home, or with a full property cleaning/decoration

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Professional Help for Hoarders

Hoarding disorder is a serious condition that affects not only the individual but everyone around them, and the dangers of hoarding are significant. If you or someone you know is struggling with hoarding, seeking help from mental health professionals and engaging professional clearance services is crucial. With the right support, it is possible to break free from the cycle of hoarding and restore a safe and healthy living environment.

If you or someone you know is looking for professional support and guidance, we strongly recommend getting in touch with Hoarding Support. Cullens Clearances has supported Hoarding Support for many years, and it is a great resource for guidance, support, declutters and clearance services.

 

For Professional Hoarding Clearances, We’re Here to Help

At Cullen’s Clearances, we bring over 15 years of experience in the clearance industry, specialising in hoarded properties. We’ve helped countless families reclaim their homes and lives with care and compassion. Our motto, “ReUse, ReHome, & ReLove,” reflects our commitment to sustainability and restoring order to chaotic spaces.

Discover more about our hoarding clearance service where we offer expert guidance and craft a tailored solution that meets your unique needs. We can provide a free online quote and will help you take the first step toward a fresh start.

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