Finding the abandoned body of someone who has died is a scary experience. An unexpected death can occur as a result of suicide, violence, accident, or natural causes. Regardless of what caused a person's death, coming to discover a motionless body is bound to be a terrifying event.
Unattended death, in particular, refers to a death that goes unnoticed for an extended length of time. It might be hours, days, weeks, or even months before anybody notices a death has occurred. Individuals who live alone or who have unexpected health difficulties, such as a heart attack or stroke, are more likely to die alone.
What to Do If You Find an Unattended Death
When an unattended death is discovered, the deceased's remains must be handled correctly. The deceased's corpse exposes the living to potentially dangerous diseases and illnesses. In addition, the following procedures must be followed:
Contact authorities: Call 911 as soon as you locate the corpse. Report the event to the cops, who will arrive on the scene. Even if the deceased died spontaneously, an expert must determine the exact cause of death. The local coroner's office will determine the cause of death. The remains are usually transferred to the coroner's office.
Arrange to transport the body: The body must be transported to a morgue or crematory. If the Medical Examiner's office determines that there was no foul play and that no inquiry is necessary, the nearest relatives are responsible for transferring the body. You should maintain the contact information for your preferred funeral homes available.
Reach out to friends and family: Inform friends and family of the person's sudden passing. Members of the deceased's church, business associates, and other social circle members should be told. To communicate about the death, social media can be used. These connections will also serve as a key support system for you.
Refrain from a do-it-yourself cleanup: Cleaning up biohazards is a dangerous job. Airborne infections circulate and hazardous bacteria are discharged throughout the body's breakdown process. Do not risk your health by attempting to clean the area. You run the chance of contracting a serious illness.
Contact a professional cleanup service: When a person dies alone and suddenly, his or her remains decay within hours. Human excrement permeates carpets, floors, and mattresses. The degrading process happens quickly. Harmful bacteria are discharged into the environment as a result of the breakdown.
Why Call a Professional for Biohazard Cleanup
Even if the death was accidental and the body was just left for a few hours, the surroundings require fast, necessary, and competent cleaning.
Blood may be splashed on the walls, body fluids may taint the property, and hazardous bacteria are likely to dirty the area if the death was violent. Bad odors will remain and must be dealt with.
Contact a professional biohazard cleaning agency straight once to begin the cleanup operation. Biohazard cleanup professionals employ hazardous equipment and have specialized training to disinfect neglected death sites. The ability of cleaning specialists is critical in preventing hazardous illnesses from entering the home.
The property itself may be unsafe and unusable for a lengthy period of time until professional cleanup services are done. Cleaning up after an unattended death includes sanitization, deodorization, and scene restoration. If you uncover an unattended death, you may also need to do the following:
Begin the insurance process: Starting on insurance paperwork during this difficult time is the last item on your to-do list after an unattended death. Your cleanup staff, on the other hand, will assist you in starting the process of claiming your homeowner's insurance to cover the cost of the cleaning. A professional cleaning company will take you step by step through the insurance paperwork.
Seek counseling: It's awful to see a death that has gone unnoticed. If the death was a family member, friend, or even a criminal in your home, professional counselors and psychologists may be able to help and guide you through the difficult feelings.
Reduce the chances of an unattended death: As summer approaches, the elderly who live alone are vulnerable to several risks associated with high heat. Heat exhaustion has the potential to be fatal. Heat stress can manifest as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or even water intoxication. Families can assist avert medical complications and neglected deaths during these hot, dry months. Moving the elderly to cooler settings may help them avoid heat exhaustion. Heat stroke, which develops swiftly after heat exhaustion, can result in brain damage or death. Water intoxication, convulsions, coma, and death can arise from excessive water drinking. Make sure that sensitive souls are adequately hydrated and not overhydrated.
Call a Trusted Professional
Keep the contact information for a trustworthy, local biohazard cleaning company handy. You'll be prepared if the unexpected occurs. When an unattended death scene is discovered in a home, the professional professionals who do biohazard cleanup follow Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) guidelines. In addition, they will follow all local, state, and federal safety standards. The service involves the disposal of dangerous materials. These specialists use modern cleaning methods and use personal safety equipment to keep themselves safe while cleaning the afflicted regions.
A qualified biohazard cleaning specialist is knowledgeable in all elements of biohazard cleanup. The team is prepared to work with law enforcement and avoid contaminating a crime scene during an investigation. Furthermore, skilled staff is taught to be sensitive and compassionate to families who are grieving as a result of an unexpected loss during the trauma scene cleanup operation.
Restoration 1 of Fredrick's employees are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your emergency call and promptly clean, disinfect, and restore your home so that it is safe to occupy once again.