Three Step Fire Escape Plan
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service offer free home fire safety visits. We can offer you advice about reducing the risk of fire.
- If you hear the smoke alarm or see fire
- Go outside
- Call 999 ask for the fire Service do not go back in
For your FREE visit please contact: 0345 223 4221
Email: csenquiries@ddfire.gov.uk
Please leave your post code and contact number including area code. We look forward to hearing from you.
Guidance
Hoarding is a condition where a person has difficulty discarding personal possessions. These possessions fill the home and prevent the use of space.
Living space becomes cluttered and unusable. Hoarding often brings emotional distress and impacts upon general health and wellbeing.
Some signs of hoarding behaviours could be…
- Difficulty moving around your home
- Can’t reach exit doors without tripping
Why hoarding increases Fire Risks and other dangers…
- Cooking is unsafe if flammable items are close to the oven or hob
- Open flames from smoking materials or candles with excess clutter around them are very dangerous
- Blocked walkways and exit routes may hinder an escape from a fire
- Increased risk of tripping hazards
- Heating sources may be too close to material which could ignite and burn
- Clutter may prevent access to areas to carry out repairs
- Clutter may increase the weight upon electrical items causing wires to become worn
- Do not store gas cylinders in your home. If you have a medical need for gas cylinders, for example you require oxygen, they should be kept upright and outdoors where possible.
How Hoarding Impacts upon Emergency Services…
- Puts the emergency responders at risk
- Responders cannot move quickly through a home filled with clutter
- Responders may become trapped in a home when the exists are blocked
- Responders may suffer injuries due to falling objects
- Clutter makes the search and rescue of people and pets more difficult
- The weight of stored items, especially if water is added, can lead to building collapse
Test your smoke alarm weekly
For more advice and information please visit: HoardingUK email: info@hoardinguk.org tel: 020 3239 1600
MIND www.mind.org.uk
Help for Hoarders www.helpforhoarders.co.uk
HOARDING Disorders UK https://hoardingdisordersuk.org
Children of Hoarders www.childrenofhoarders.com
NHS Choices www.nhs.uk
Download the leaflet: