Garage Guide
Crammed House A Fire Hazard?
I know a woman who is in her 60's and is a total packrat! This woman has been collecting pointless objects for decades. She owns a big house, but every single room is cluttered. Some rooms are used strictly for storage (3 rooms filled to the ceiling with boxes), but all rooms are absolutely cluttered. Her attic is stuffed so full of junk, her garage as well, she has run out of space so there are boxes in the hall! all her 3 sheds are full as well. It is a fire hazard is it not? I tried to explain the danger but she shrugs it off as though she's the senior and therefore correct. What would the city/fire department do if they knew about this? I worry not just about the consequences she may face from them but that the house will catch fire someday. Help me know what she faces and what I can do to help? Thanks all!
Public Comments
- Elderly affairs. There is an organization in your community/state for elderly affairs. Call and they will ask if this is an abuse complaint. Say it isn't. It is an unsafe housing condition report, and you need to tell someone. They will take it from there. Hopefully, they will assign her someone to come in a few hours a week. It isn't normal work to clean this type of thing, and if you are willing to assist, be available when she needs this. Pop in for a visit and see if she's worried and needs assistance. you must make the report first. The elderly don't see outside their own world. The things she keeps at eye=level, such as photographs, etc, don't move these. And with the counters, the things she keeps, and uses, make note and don't move these.
