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Hoarding and Fire Safety

People with hoarding disorder collect and keep items that fill up their living space to the extent that the space is no longer usable. This accumulation of material presents fire safety risks to residents and firefighters.

Did you know:

The American Psychiatric Association estimates that approximately 2.6% of people have hoarding disorder, with higher rates for people over 60 years old and people with other mental health issues.

Help people with hoarding disorder stay safe from home fires. Our free materials are yours to use when educating these community members about the importance of practicing home fire safety.

Messages to share

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Know the fire safety risks and how you can keep yourself and first responders safe.

Risks

Personal items can crowd cooking equipment, making it unsafe to cook.
Personal items can crowd heating equipment, putting you at risk of having a fire.

Difficulties for firefighters

Blocked windows and doors make it difficult for firefighters to get into your home to fight the fire and search for occupants.
Piles of belongings make it difficult for firefighters to move through your home quickly.

Important

Always keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from cooking and heating equipment.
Keep doorways and windows clear for escape in case there is a fire. This will also prevent injuries from falling over excessive personal items.

Social media graphics and stock photos

card: have a clear path to your exits

Pictographs

Pictographs can help overcome literacy barriers by communicating messages with pictures. Our pictographs will help you to communicate fire safety messages to high-risk populations.

check your homes space heater surroundings
check your homes space heater surroundings
Remove boxes, newspapers, electrical cords and phone cords from walkways and stairs.

Handouts

portable heater fire safety flyer

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