Dear Eric: I have a huge dilemma literally right across from our home. <\/p>\n
Our neighbor is a very nice man. Sometimes I do ask him what he\u2019s going to do with all of his stuff in his yard. He just says he\u2019ll keep it. He is a hoarder.<\/p>\n
What I see is boxes and boxes stacked all along his driveway, down to his backyard, leaving a very narrow pathway to cars, also along the driveway. You can barely see his house due to all the grown trees and shrubs.<\/p>\n
My deepest worry is fire.<\/p>\n
I know if I call an authority on him, he will know it was me. Please, advise.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Worried Neighbor<\/p>\n
Dear Neighbor: Fire is indeed a concern in homes maintained by people with hoarding tendencies. Blocked entrances and exits endanger not only the residents of the home, but firefighters and first responders. This is why, as you indicate you\u2019re aware, many emergency response departments have people trained at hoarding intervention.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the greater danger here: that he suspects you\u2019re the person who called and asked that someone make a wellness visit to his home, or that he or someone else is injured or killed should the unthinkable happen. I say make the call and then leave it to the authorities.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also possible that any passing car could notice the state of the house and make a call, as could the neighbors on either side of him, whose houses would be in even more immediate danger in the event of a fire.<\/p>\n
After making the call, however, it\u2019s advisable to take a step back, unpleasant as the sight may be. We can\u2019t dictate what neighbors put on their property. Beyond offering help, further conversation with him about his belongings is overstepping.<\/p>\n
(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com<\/a> or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram<\/a> and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com<\/a>.)<\/p>\n \u00a92025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC<\/p>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n