Safety Risks in a Hoarding Environment

As a professional cleaning company in Perth, we’ve encountered numerous hoarding situations where the accumulated possessions have caused hazardous environments in homes. This can have serious safety implications. 

When excessive items accumulate in a living space, they create dangerous conditions that can threaten the wellbeing of occupants, visitors, and even emergency responders.

Understanding these risks is the first step toward creating a safer living environment for those affected by hoarding behaviours.

Fire Hazards

Hoarding can significantly increase the risk of a fire. Clutter close to stoves, heaters, or electrical outlets can ignite easily, and excessive amounts of materials can help a fire spread quickly throughout a home.

Hoarder house junk pile of clothing bags, household objects, vintage electronics and miscellaneous objects.

Blocked Exits

In a hoarding situation, exits may be blocked or difficult to access, which can be extremely dangerous in the event of a fire or other emergency requiring quick evacuation.

Structural Damage

The excessive weight of accumulated materials can damage a building’s structure, potentially leading to collapsed floors or ceilings.

Health Risks

Hoarding conditions can lead to poor sanitation, attracting pests like rodents and insects, and contributing to mould growth and accumulation of dust. These conditions can exacerbate respiratory conditions, allergies, and other health issues.. 

Injury Risk

Cluttered environments increase the risk of falls and injuries. Objects can fall from stacks, or individuals may trip over items, leading to bruises, fractures, or more severe injuries. This risk is intensified when individuals live alone in a hoarding environment

Impaired Living Conditions

Hoarding can severely restrict everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, sleeping, and maintaining personal hygiene, impacting mental and physical health.

Isolation

Individuals who hoard often feel embarrassment or might be shamed by others about the state of their living environment, which can lead to social isolation and mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.

Professional Hoarding Cleanup Perth

At Kleen Slate Services, we understand the complexity of hoarding cleanups and the importance of approaching each situation with compassion and expertise. If you’re dealing with a hoarding situation in Perth, don’t put yourself at risk by attempting cleanup alone. Our trained and accredited technicians have the proper equipment, protective gear, and experience to safely restore these environments while preserving dignity and ensuring safety for all involved. 

Contact us today for a confidential consultation about our professional hoarding cleanup services – because your safety matters to us.

Lewis Harriman

Lewis Harriman is an award winning entrepreneur. His business, Kleen Slate Services was named Business of the Year at the 2019 RKCC Mineral Resources Regional Business Awards. Certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration, he provides Methamphetamine property testing and decontamination cleaning, all property restoration services, trauma and crime scene forensic clean-up, as well as range of cleaning services to domestic, commercial and industrial properties. He is a strong advocate for supporting local business, being members of BNI, Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce and Rockingham Business Sundowners.