One man’s treasure may be another’s firetrap.
Hoarding is a growing problem that affects every community and the fire departments serving them. Excessive clutter of any kind poses direct threats to the health and safety of not only the residents but of the firefighters as well.
Nevertheless, firefighters continue to respond each day to fires regardless of the amount of personal belongings an occupant may have. The tactics may change, but the need to put water on the fire does not.
Hoarding not only can create egress and ingress issues for evacuating occupants but also can delay fire crews entering the structure. Often, exits are blocked and rooms are filled to the ceiling with stacks of belongings that can easily fall over and entrap firefighters. Although firefighters may force open an inward-opening exterior door to enter, getting out through the same door may present a problem. Also, if a firefighter is in distress, accessing and removing him/her can be difficult. First responders have a double-edged sword to deal with – fire prevention and firefighter safety.
Today firefighter safety is a battle that all departments across the country continue to wage. Fires that begin in a hoarder's home may require several new tactical decisions. Is it safe to send my crew in this residence? Is the fuel load so large that an interior attack may be futile? Can I even make access into this structure effectively? Are escape routes obstructed?
Fires in hoarding households are indeed fiercer and more expensive to fight than other kinds of residential fires; it will generally necessitate numerous personnel. The attack may be extensive and require a large water supply and possible multiple hoselines. Any rescue efforts will be extremely taxing; overhaul and salvage will be incredibly difficult.
You can help firefighters by taking action to control clutter. Here are some friendly tips:
• Identify tiny projects that will give you a lot of satisfaction. Pick a corner of a room, one shelf or one stack of papers to start. Work in small steps, doing what you can in about half an hour. Don’t try to tackle too much in one sitting.
• Compartmentalize as you go through your stuff. Take four boxes and label them “Trash,” “Storage,” “Donate,” and “For Sale.” Use these for sorting as you declutter and then expedite taking them to their final destinations.
• Set up a 2015 memo box or file for each family member. Use these boxes as a place to put things you want to save, such as concert tickets, birthday cards, or cute notes from your kids. This kind of stuff tends to stack up on a kitchen counter or bedside table. Now it can be part of a time capsule for the year.
Remember to draw a basic floor plan of your home, and mark your family’s fire escape route. The route should have two ways to exit the home, as well as a safe, common place to meet outside the home. Talk with your children about the dangers of smoke, the importance of not hiding during a fire, and remaining outside your home. Keep in mind that infants and disabled or elderly family members may require assistance existing the home. Practice your plan with a drill. There should be no clutter on the route to exit!