Friends Don't Let Friends Hoard

9/28/2018 (Permalink)

Hoarders basement

Our SERVPRO of Rochester technicians handle many complicated situations - one of which includes hoarding. Water, fire, and mold damages are much more complicated in a hoarder home - more obstacles, more damaged belongings, and more sensitive situations with homeowners. 

Here are a list of risk factors when it comes to hoarding: 

Homelessness

Homelessness can result if the local Department of Public Health must order the person out of or condemn the dwelling or if the landlord demonstrates in court that the level or type of hoarding seriously violates the lease. Shelters have also been known to bar individuals whose hoarding puts other shelter guests at risk.

Health Problems

Health problems include falls or accidents and inability of emergency personnel to enter or remove an ill person. Clutter, garbage, animal or human feces and resulting mold or infestation can also cause respiratory and other health problems. Lack of sanitation can be particularly unsafe for immune compromised individuals. Ammonia levels from accumulations of urine and feces can easily exceed maximum occupational exposure limits, and can be harmful to persons with cardiac or respiratory dysfunction.

Personal Safety

Blocked exits or heating vents can also pose a fire hazard and occasionally the nature or extent of hoarded items creates structural dangers due to excess weight. Hoarding of dangerous or flammable items poses great health and safety risks.

Animal Safety

Improper care or neglect of animals can put people at risk of committing felony-level crimes, resulting in forfeiture of animals, fines, and imprisonment.

For more information on these risks click here.