Hoarding

If you store large amounts of possessions in your home, you can help protect yourself and others by: 

• Keeping all exits and escape routes clear from possessions such as doorways and stairways 
• Don’t block sockets where items are plugged in, make sure there is ventilation space  
• Do not plug extension leads into other extension leads around the room, this is called “daisy chaining” and can cause an electrical fire  
• Do not stack items to a height that they become unstable they could fall and block your escape 

Firefighters responding to homes with blocked exits and large volumes of possessions can take longer to gain entry safely.  

Stacked items especially in exit routes, can cause injury to firefighters or even trap them in the property. 

If you are concerned that someone may be at risk due to hoarding, it’s important to act early. A Home Fire Safety Visit can provide expert guidance to make the home safer and reduce the risk of fire.