Clutter free

Stay safe 

It’s easy to let clutter build up, but by keeping your home clutter free, you can help to make it a safer space and reduce the risk of fire. 

Clutter in your home can also be a problem if it gets in the way of your everyday life, for example you find difficulty in accessing or using rooms, or it is causing you distress or affecting your or your family’s quality of life. 

If you have a lot of belongings and need support with de-cluttering and cleaning there are organisations who can help. You might have tried to sort out things before and not found it helpful, but through our Safe and Well visits we can talk about what help is currently available that may be more appropriate to suit your specific circumstances. 

By removing clutter you can:  

• help to reduce the risk of slipping, tripping or falling 
• have clearly defined walkways in your home. This is particularly important for those with mobility or sight problems, or who use a stick or walking frame  
• keep stairs, doorways and walkways clear so that you can move around easily   
• keep your escape routes clear, including stairs and exits such as doors and windows. Clutter can slow you down or pose a hazard if you have to get out of the house quickly, or firefighters need to get in! 
• get to the bathroom more easily at night 

Did you know?  

For those who suffer from dementia, too much clutter can also be visually confusing. 

If clutter become unmanageable, it can sometimes be an indicator that a person may have a hoarding disorder. Learn more on the NHS website.    

Clutter as a fire hazard 

Clutter can also be a fire hazard, especially if you have: 

• clutter around heat sources such as cookers, candles, or heaters 
• a build-up of things that can catch fire, such as newspapers. 

In the kitchen make sure the cooker, hob and the area around it is clear of clutter, with nothing left on top of the hob.