THE DANGERS OF HOARDING AND SQUALOR

THE DANGERS OF HOARDING AND SQUALOR

Over the past few years, the CFA has been increasingly recognising hoarding and squalor as common features in fires and other emergencies. Hoarding can pose significant risks, not only to residents but also to CFA fire fighters attending premises.
In fact, the Woodend Fire Brigade has attended several fires in recent years where hoarding would have or did have a significant impact on how we were able to enter buildings.
What is hoarding?
Hoarding is the persistent accumulation of and lack of ability to relinquish large numbers of objects or living animals. It results in extreme clutter in and around premises, compromising the intended use of premises and threatens the health and safety of people concerned, animals and neighbours. Hoarding is a progressive and chronic condition.
The effects of hoarding can be apparent inside or outside the house or a combination of both. Commonly hoarded items include personal papers, newspapers, clothing, furniture, appliances, household rubbish, animals and hard rubbish.

What is squalor?

Squalor is an unsanitary living environment that has arisen from extreme/prolonged neglect. It poses substantial health and safety risks to people or animals residing in the affected premises as well as others in the community.
Hoarding and squalor can exist in isolation or at the same time.

The fire risks

Fires in hoarding homes increase risks to the occupants, their neighbours and firefighters because:

• Non-functional gas or electricity may result in unsafe practices for cooking and heating, this combined with high fuel loads provides greater opportunity for fire ignition.
• Possessions blocking exits and narrowing internal pathways impedes escape for the occupant and access for firefighters.
• Accumulation of possessions results in an abnormally high fuel load, creating excessive smoke and fire conditions, and possible structural collapse under these conditions.

Research proves there is a major problem

Statewide research about hoarding and squalor led the MFB, with assistance from the CFA, to recently carry out the first Victorian statewide study. The study heard from CFA about properties they had attended where hoarding or squalid conditions concerned them.
The study confirmed that hoarding incidents are not confined to one fire service area and can affect people from all social classes and educational backgrounds. It also found that properties with hoarding present were less likely to have working smoke alarms.
It identified that, compared with normal residential fires, a fire in a house with an advanced state of hoarding was less likely to be confined to the room of origin, and often needed more fire fighting resources.

Thanks again to Woodend Rotary

At the Woodend CFA’s July monthly meeting, Woodend Rotary President Josephine Falzarano and outgoing President Grand Hocking made a special presentation of yet another donation to the brigade. Woodend Rotary has donated very generously over many years, and the money has always been put to good use with the purchase or new and upgraded equipment. Rest assured the money will again be put to good use, especially with the forthcoming construction of our new building works. Thank you, Woodend Rotary.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE

We now have nearly 2100 Followers on the Woodend CFA Facebook Page, which we update regularly with important and valuable information, including updates to recent incidents and callouts. Find us and ‘like us’. You can also find out lots of fire safety information by visiting our recently updated website: www.woodendcfa.org

For further information contact Captain Mick Christie on 0419 870 601 or 1st Lieutenant Mike Dornau on 0409 093 935, call the Woodend CFA on 5427 2356, visit the station in Urquhart Street or our website: www.woodendcfa.org.
The Woodend CFA is a volunteer emergency service, committed to Creating a Safer Community.

Submitted by 1st Lieutenant Mike Dornau, Woodend CFA