Specific Situations That Require a Specialty Biohazard Cleanup Service or Biohazard Remediation

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Biohazard

There are certain situations that occur in a residence that require a specialty biohazard cleanup service, also known as biohazard remediation. These include:

-Suicide
-Homicide
-Accident
-Other types of unattended death

In addition to these specific incidents that occur on the home front, there are deaths that occur in other settings that necessitate a specialty biohazard cleaning service. These include:

-Industrial accidents
-Communicable disease disinfection
-Vehicle biohazard removal and remediation
-Blood cleanup, removal, and remediation

The Physical Dangers of Biohazard Cleanup or Remediation

A primary reason why a biohazard cleaning service is needed following certain types of deaths is because of the biohazardous substances associated with the remains of a person who died under circumstances like those discussed a moment ago.

You must keep in mind that even if a perfectly healthy person dies in a traumatic death, which is not immediately discovered, hazardous biological agents will be present at the location of the deceased’s remains. The stark reality is that the decomposition process commences at the time of death.

The process of decomposition results in the release of potentially dangerous gases and fluids, beginning as quickly as a couple of days following death. You run the risk of becoming seriously ill by exposure to these substances.

The cleanup after a traumatic or unattended death necessitates the use of universal precautions as well as personal protective equipment, or PPE. Most people like you do not maintain the personal protective equipment of the type needed to protect appropriately against the biohazards associated with a traumatic or unattended death.

On the other hand, a biohazard cleaning service maintains the protective gear necessary to safely remediate the aftermath of a traumatic or unattended death. Keep in mind that this gear is designed specifically to address biohazard remediation. It is not the same type of gear utilized in home improvement projects or less risky cleanup endeavors. This gear includes specialized equipment that includes:

-Masks or respirators
-Goggles
-Gloves
-Protective outer-clothing
-Shoe coverings

For any issue like this that may arise, feel free to call SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties

How Long Can Germs Live on Surfaces

1/8/2020 (Permalink)

Germs & How to Remove them

COLD GERMS

The common cold is a frequent source of misery. A variety of viruses can trigger it, and like other viruses, cold germs tend to survive for longer periods on hard, nonporous surfaces like desktops and handrails. On suitable indoor surfaces, cold germs can linger for days, but fortunately they rarely remain infectious for more than 24 hours. Cold viruses can also thrive on the skin, but their survival time there is generally measured in mere minutes or hours.

INFLUENZA GERMS

Viruses that cause influenza can survive in the air as droplets for hours and live on hard surfaces like phones and keyboards for up to 24 hours. Infectious flu viruses clinging to a tissue can last for about 15 minutes, but viruses on the hands tend to fade quickly. Most will be only a minimal threat after five minutes. It may be a small window of time, but influenza germs don’t warn you of their presence and can make you very sick if you’re unlucky enough to encounter them when they’re infectious.

NOROVIRUS GERMS

A highly contagious virus that triggers stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea in those unfortunate enough to catch it, a norovirus can spread through small droplets that travel through the air before settling on surfaces like elevator buttons, table tops, and clothing. While they don’t thrive as successfully on porous materials like tissues and fabrics, noroviruses can survive on hard surfaces for days or weeks if the conditions are favorable.

MRSA GERMS

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, the culprits behind dangerous MRSA infections, are unfazed by many of the antibiotics that are effective in combating other staph infections. Like viruses, these germs tend to survive for shorter periods on porous surfaces than they do on nonporous ones, but they’re capable of living for days or weeks on surfaces if the circumstances are right.

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM GERMS

Everyone has seen it. If you’ve worked in restaurants or other public venues, you may even have wielded it: the dreaded wet, grey rag. Habitually passed over tabletops between customers with a few desultorily swipes, it is an obviously inadequate weapon when it comes to eradicating germs. But what is required to disinfect a surface?

DISINFECTING BASICS

If you want to kill the germs lurking on a surface, you need to choose an appropriate disinfectant. You also have to apply it properly. That means saturating the surface with enough of the germ-fighting chemical to get the job done and ensuring that there’s enough contact time (time when the chemical is on the surface) to allow it to eliminate any germs present. Choosing a low-grade disinfectant or skimping on either saturation or contact time can compromise your germ-fighting efforts, so it’s vital that you choose your products carefully and read and follow their directions.

As the professional, SERVPRO provides proper training and EPA registered disinfectants to ensure our customers we are doing a thorough job for them.  Whether it be commercial or residential we can handle any cleaning concern or job you might have.  Call us at 386-754-0261!

Biohazard Cleanup

4/4/2019 (Permalink)

Cleaning up a crime scene is a messy job, but someone has to do it.

After the police have finished processing a crime or accident scene, the cleaning and restoration process can begin. Many times, crime and accident scenes have blood and other biohazard contaminants that pose a serious health risk.

Police and homeowners rely on professional services that are equipped to handle crime scene cleanup.

SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties technicians follow OSHA and EPA protocols to help transform an unsafe environment back to a clean and safe home or office.  We will always treat your property and everyone involved with the utmost respect and empathy in these difficult circumstances. 

Some common trauma and crime scene scenarios are:

• Crime Scene Residues

From fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues, SERVPRO Professionals can clean and restore your property after a crime scene investigation.

• Blood borne Pathogens

SERVPRO Professionals remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue, and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, trauma, crime, or death. Our trained SERVPRO Professionals clean, disinfect, and deodorize the structure.

If you find yourself wondering what to do in the event of a trauma or crime scene, call SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties to take care of your cleanup needs. (386) 754-0261

Vandalism, Bloodborne Pathogens, Drug Scene??? We can Help!

1/5/2019 (Permalink)

Board Ups, Meth Labs, Hoarders..... We offer many types of cleaning services.

For 13 years SERPVRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties has helped home owners and businesses with fire, smoke and water damage clean up.  But did you know that SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties has staff members that are trained and certified in Bio-Hazard clean up?  Here are some helpful tips on what to do until help arrives if you experience a crime scene, vandalism or bio-hazard damage in your home or business.

VANDLISM DAMAGE

DO:

• Hose or wash egg damage from your building exterior as soon as possible
• Vacuum glass particles from carpets
• Save containers which reveal the ingredients of spilled inks, cosmetics and paints

DON’T

• Don’t attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains.
• Operate damage lamps or appliances
• Discard furniture wood chips, broken pieces from porcelain, furniture or art objects.

Harmful Waste

(Sewage, blood borne pathogens, etc.)

DO:

• Stay out of affected areas
• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.

DON’T

• Attempt cleanup of any kind
• Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids.

These Emergency Tips will assist you in taking the proper actions until SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties professionals arrive to your home or business.

Please follow these Dos and DON’Ts to help reduce damage and increase the chances of a successful restoration.  Call SERVPRO of Columbia and Suwannee Counties at (386) 754-0261 for assistance with any Bio-Hazard cleanup.  We are available 24/7/365 to serve our residents and businesses.

Trauma Scene Cleanup

4/2/2018 (Permalink)

Cleaning up after a Trauma

Not to mention the emotional trauma of loss, but what do you do in the aftermath when something terrible occurs?  Although everyone’s experience is unique, there are similar but difficult decisions that have to be made every time a loss of this nature takes place.  Generally how one goes about cleaning the affected area is not the first thing that comes to mind.  However at some point this has to be done..….and where do you go?  Here at SERVPRO® of Columbia & Suwannee Counties (386) 754-0261, we are trained and ready to assist when something like this happens.  We have the equipment, cleaning solutions, deodorization techniques and chemicals to combat all of the relevant issues such as blood borne pathogens & odors associated with this type of cleanup.  Our staff has been immunized against Hepatitis and is ready to help you return your home and contents to their preloss condition.  Although one never is the same when confronted with this possibility, rest assured there is someone who understands and will help you through this ordeal.

Trauma/Crime Cleanup

1/31/2018 (Permalink)

When it's time to clean and restore a home, property, office or other structure after a crime or accident has taken place, our professional trauma and crime scene cleanup team is ready to serve. When police have completed their investigation and have processed the scene of an accident or crime, the area should be cleaned quickly and professionally. Removing hazardous materials and other contaminants that could create a health risk or safety issue need to be removed as soon as possible. For trauma and crime scene cleanup in North Central Florida call SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties today; 386-754-0261.

How Can We Help You?

At SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties our highly trained technicians adhere to the OSHA and EPA protocols to ensure a crime scene or accident scene has returned to a safe environment. Ensuring their safety, and the safety of those around them, we work to remove bloodborne pathogens, chemicals, bodily fluids, tissue remnants, blood, gas and extinguisher residue, and much more. When restoring a private residence, our team will ensure the utmost compassion and concern for your belongings and property. In the event of illegal drug or substance presence, our cleanup crew will ensure chemicals have not transmitted throughout the structure and onto other surfaces. We'll also remove crime scene residue that has been left behind by the crime labs, including fingerprint dust.

Skilled and Professional Technicians

When you call SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties, your expert trauma and crime scene cleanup crew in Lake City, Florida you’ll be relying on the best in the business. We ensure all of our technicians are trained to federal level standards and are routinely upgrading their restoration and cleanup skills to meet the demands of the market. We maintain excellent working relationships with fire officials, police, and other city workers who strive to keep the city safe. Working to restore a residence or office after a crime or accident is no easy task, but our highly skilled cleanup technicians are up to the challenge.

Helping You Get on With Life

Whether you've been in an accident, or have been involved in a crime, restoring your home, office, or property to its original state is an essential part of the recovery process for many people. While we cannot replace the memories, the damage to your property will pass removal. We take great pride in restoring homes, offices, and property after a crime or accident has occurred. We know it's essential for everyone involved, and for the safety of those around the crime or accident, to rectify the scene as soon as possible.

Work With SERVPRO of Columbia & Suwannee Counties

If you require the services of a professional and discreet trauma and crime scene cleanup team, contact our Lake City office today at 386-754-0261. We'll ensure that the scene returns to its natural order, and take great care in cleaning and repairing the damage done as a result of the crime or accident. Don't hesitate to contact us to talk about how we can help your family, organization, or public service organization clean and restore a building, street, or home after a trauma or accident.

Biohazard Situation in Columbia County

10/28/2016 (Permalink)

Our Production Technicians Ronnie Wilson & Keith Gwin work together to remediate a Biohazard Situation in Suwannee County, Florida.

If you are faced with a biohazard cleanup, such as a sewage backup, trauma scene, or hoarding environment, there are plenty of important things you need to consider.

You should first avoid exposure to any contaminants present. Serious health risks can be associated with exposure to blood, bodily fluids, chemical spills, sewage, and other biohazardous materials. Always treat any potentially hazardous materials as if they are contaminated.

Before you attempt to clean up a trauma scene yourself, especially if it involves a loved one, consider any long-term mental and emotional consequences of doing so. The cleaning process can be an emotional and traumatic one. Our Service technicians are highly trained to not only remediate, but handle trauma situations with compassion and discretion.

Should you need assistance in cleaning up any kind of Biohazard situation, our trained professionals can clean any affected areas and dispose of the waste in accordance with federal and state regulations.

Need Biohazard Cleanup Services in Columbia or Suwannee County?
Call Us Today – (386) 754-0261

24 Hour Emergency Service
Our highly trained technicians are standing by. We have the qualified trained professionals who are ready to respond to these incidents. We will always treat your property and the people involved with the greatest empathy and respect during a stressful time.