Helen Russell

'If you have so many possessions that there are rooms in your home you're no longer able to use because they have so much stuff in them, that's classed as hoarding. If there's an increased risk of falls or fires or other hazards because of the amount of stuff you have _ then you have a problem'
There have been no falls or fires _ and our rooms are , so far, serviceable. But my husband comes from a family of stuff-fans. We lost the dog under a pile of crochet during the in-laws' last visit and didn't realise where he was until a craft project starting loping around the kitchen like a drugged Loch Ness Monster.