Extreme hoarding requires extreme cleaning

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

Call the certified experts at SERVPRO of Lawton.

Hoarding can create a big mess in the home, but it can also pose a huge health risk to anyone who suffers from it. The health problems a hoarder might face varies depending on the severity of the situation, and what exactly they collect.

1. Disease.Poor air quality, mildew and fungus, and illnesses related to unsanitary conditions are some of the most common hoarder health problems. Poor sanitation generally occurs among animal hoarders, food hoarders, and trash hoarders, as they are exposed to toxic substances such as feces, rotting food, and other chemicals.
2. Tripping and Falling.With all the stuff piled up in the home, it’s easy to trip, fall, and sprain an ankle – or worse. The more rooms start to fill up with unneeded items, the more likely a slip or a tumble can occur, and injuries can range in severity depending on what there is to break the fall.
3. Fire hazards.On top of creating obstacles to stumble over, the clutter in a hoarder home can result in a huge fire hazard. Not only are items such as clothing, mail, and some electronics flammable when not stored properly, but blocked entryways and cluttered floors can cause hoarders to be unable to exit their homes or be rescued in the event of an actual fire.
4. Infestation.All the clutter accumulating in a hoarder’s home is the perfect breeding ground for bed bugs, roaches, rodents, and other pests. These pests also pose their own health risks.

The trained and certified cleanup and restoration experts at SERVPRO of Lawton are here to help. Just give us a call at 580-699-2662.