The Huron Perth Hoarding Coalition helps hoarders and their families recognize and tackle the issue.
A website has been set up to explain what the disorder is, why it is a concern, and when to ask for help.
24% of preventable fire deaths in Ontario occur in homes of a person with hoarding tendencies.
Piles of combustibles can increase the fire load, and block escape routes. The weight can affect the integrity of the building. Mold growth can quickly spread through the home. And people who hoard pets can live in unsanitary conditions.
Hoarding is described as " the persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value."
The hoarding coalition website is offering support at http://www.huronperthhc.ca/
You can contact the Huron-Perth Hoarding Coalition by calling 2-1-1.