Collaborative Post
Most of us have some clutter in our homes, and some of us have a little more stuff than we should. But keeping excess items can become a severe issue. While you shouldn’t hoard anything, hoarding is usually a sign of a mental health condition. These conditions are generally made worse by the act itself. Additionally, excess items pose a risk to air quality health, contaminants such as asbestos and fire hazards. A simple way to remove hoards is to hire a removal service like Sheridan Skips. There are many reasons why hoarding is dangerous. Yet, the issues are much more profound than clearing out a home.
Mental Health Issues
Hoarding is considered a severe psychological condition that affects 1 in 50 people. What might begin as a small collection of relatively harmless items can accumulate dangerous materials. Hoarding can exacerbate existing conditions such as OCD and cause severe mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and agoraphobia. Additionally, the diary of a hoarder’s home will inhibit social interaction as you might not want people to see the state of your living environment.
Reduced Air Quality
The contaminants from animals, toxic materials, leaks, mould, food, and animals drastically reduce air quality. Low air quality, especially air containing mould and other airborne toxins, will cause severe health issues. Some of the most common include:
- Chronic coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Lung problems
- Breathing issues
- Lung inflammation
Health problems such as these are likely to contribute to existing conditions and comorbidities. And as you become ill from the polluted air around you, your mental health issues brought on or made worse by hoarding will also increase.
Hazardous Materials
A few items here and there isn’t likely to cause issues. Yet when a hoarded collection of things become so large, toxicities in the environment can form. You could be exposed to hazardous materials from decaying products such as plastics. Exposure to leaking contaminants may also occur as well as asbestos. Many stacked or close items also significantly increase the risk of fatality in your home should a fire break out. Hoarded items are likely to blaze very quickly.
Vermin and Bugs
One of the primary reasons you should seek help if you feel you are hoarding is the risk of exposure to vermin and bugs. Excess items provide an ideal home for such animals as rats, pigeons and feral cats. Additionally, any decaying items will attract cockroaches and flies. The desiccated shells of dead bugs and the faeces of animals pose an exceptional health risk. If exposed, you could be subject to respiratory and cardiac health issues.
Animal Rights Laws
Hoarding items en masse will make your home highly unsanitary. In addition, the odours of decaying objects and food will attract animals like cats and dogs. But should you choose to keep such animals, you are wholly responsible for their welfare. Unsafe conditions typically found in a hoarder home put the animals at risk. You are liable to prosecution under animal rights and protection laws. Such laws apply if your home is found to contain animal faeces and urine in the area where your pets generally reside.
Getting Help for Hoarding
It can be difficult to help a hoarder as they need to be ready to want help. Contact a hoarding charity for help and advice for yourself or others.
