The Importance of Proper Biohazard Clean-up After an Unattended Death

Would you know who to call or what to do if a family member or loved one suffered an unattended death and a biohazard clean-up was needed? Unfortunately, we hear far too often anecdotes or should I say horrific accounts from people that had no idea this kind of specialist cleaning service even existed. You would be forgiven for thinking the paramedics, police, coroner or undertaker would make the family aware that specialist biohazard cleaning exists but often they don’t. So many times, the family have no idea that they can hire a specialist cleaning team and so they clean up the aftermath of a loved one passing themselves. There are so many reasons why this should absolutely never happen, not least because the clean-up is likely to be extremely unpleasant and it can cause horrendous trauma and PTSD to the person. Here are a few other factors that need to be taken into consideration. Even if you can put to one side the emotional and traumatic affect this might have, some of these clean ups can be extremely complicated and challenging even for professional biohazard and trauma cleaners. Biohazard cleaners go through specific training and have risk assessments and methods so that they carry to job out as safely and effectively as possible. There is potentially dangerous blood borne pathogens in the contaminated area that can cause real harm to health if exposed. These cleans require specific chemicals and equipment and PPE to ensure they are carried out effectively and safely. Doing a DIY job will likely mean that the person cleaning is putting themselves in danger. The areas affected could still be contaminated in potentially dangerous biohazard matter and the clean may not be sufficient and effective. Then once the clean-up is complete there is the issue of the waste disposal. The contaminated waste needs to be disposed of correctly and legally in a specialist biohazard waste facility and a license is required to do this. This is such an upsetting and stressful time for loved ones and family members of the deceased. There is enough to organise and sort out, the last thing anyone needs to be worrying about is cleaning up something that is potentially dangerous and going to cause further trauma. We are on a mission to make sure that everyone knows that companies such as ours exist and to try and encourage anyone in a profession that might come into contact with the family to also spread the information.