This week is National Hoarding Awareness Week and the fire service wants to highlight the link between hoarding and fire fatalities.
Since January 2019, 23% of domestic dwelling fire incidents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, that resulted in serious injury or fatality involved an individual with hoarding behaviours. Nationally, it is reported that 1/3 of fire fatalities involve people who hoard.
Hoarding can be a mental health condition by itself as well as sometimes being a symptom of other mental health problems. It’s estimated that hoarding affects around 1.2 million people in the UK. and the effects of this can be devastating.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service work in partnership with other agencies to support individuals who are exhibiting hoarding behaviour. This ensures the associated fire risks can be addressed whilst at the same time offering the individual access to appropriate care and support services provided by our partners.
Additional fire risks associated with hoarding:
- Escape routes may become blocked preventing easy escape in the event of a fire
- Fire spread and intensity can be accelerated by hoarded material
- Materials can increase smoke development
- Those with hoarding behaviours may not want people to access their space meaning essential repairs on property and utilities are not reported and fixed.
- Hoarding also creates additional risks for firefighters.
This is where our Safe & Well prevention visits can help. Anybody with concerns can make a Safe & Well visit referral on our website.
Find out more about hoarding and fire risks on our website.