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San Diego is the golden beacon of South California. As a famous tourist destination, San Diego boasts an incredible city filled with sights to see, food to taste, and beautiful weather. With an expansive coastline that spans over 50 miles, it is no surprise that local residents are eager to get out and enjoy the climate. San Diego is the second largest city in California with more than 1.35 million people.
While San Diego is lauded for being an incredible city to live due to the weather, low commute times and expanse of outdoor entertainment, there is still a darker side to the city. San Diego might be considered one of the safest big cities in the world, but that doesn’t mean that crime doesn’t exist. The average murder rate in 2017 was 2.5 deaths per 100,000 residents which is incredibly low. However, San Diego has averaged almost 450 suicides per year since 2016. When these dark moments stain the otherwise beautiful city, the need for biohazard cleanup can arise.
Importance of Biohazard Cleanup
Whether we are discussing violent crime or a simple unattended death, the aftermath of the tragedy is incredibly important to deal with. While we understand that traumatic moment, such as dealing with the loss of a loved one, can be hard to deal with, they still must be attended to. When it comes to post-death remediation, it is of the utmost importance that the proper steps be taken in order to prevent potential safety issues as a result of biohazardous material.
In the wake of a tragic death, be it a suicide, murder or natural causes, a biohazard cleanup team should be notified in order to make the property safe and sanitary once again. The truth is that while death and decay are natural and intrinsic to the experience of life, it still isn’t safe. There are four primary issues that need to be attended to in order to make sure that an environment is made safe and sanitary once again.
1) Dangerous Bacteria
2) Bodily Fluids
3) Airborne Toxins
4) Other Dangerous Pathogens
5) Feces Cleanup
There are many instances where these four issues can be exacerbated the state of the scene of the tragedy. In the event of an unattended death, the human body can go through extensive acts of decomposition before being discovered. During this period of time, bodily fluids can start to spread and sink into the surrounding property. These bodily fluids contain dangerous pathogens that can lead to illness and even death in an otherwise healthy individual.
Additionally, bodily fluids, blood, and bodily decomposition can also give rise to infestations of certain insects. In Southern California where the weather is almost always warm, bugs can arrive in order to spread dangerous pathogens to areas outside of the home. Consider that blood and other fluids from the body can carry deadly diseases like HIV, MRSA, Hep B, Hep C and you’ll start to see why this process is so important While this is not a fun concept to dwell on, it is a subject that simply cannot be ignored.
Situations Requiring Biohazard Assistance
While nobody wants to be thrust into this situation, there are going to be tragic moments that must be dealt with. We understand that the darkness of this topic can contrast greatly with the clear skies and warm weather that San Diego is known for, but it still cannot be ignored. Listed below, you’ll find the most common events which will require a professional biohazard cleanup crew.
Suicide Cleanup – Losing a loved one to suicide is something that nobody can mentally or physically prepare for. In the wake of losing a loved one, when dealing with grief, you’ll have to take the cleanup process very seriously. Suicide cleanup, depending on how life was lost, can vary greatly in an application. In some instances, it will be important to consider Sharps Cleanup services as well so as to properly dispose of any potentially dangerous items that were used for the tragic event.
Unattended Death Cleanup – Unattended deaths pose a particularly large problem when it comes to sanitation and safety. An unattended death is when we lose a loved one and do not find them quickly. Whether due to old age or sudden trauma, such as a heart attack, unattended deaths can pose serious health risks that are hard to deal with. In these situations, it is of the utmost importance that the property is scrubbed and sanitized from one corner of the building to the next. While we never want this nightmarish situation to manifest, it has to be accounted for and dealt with when it does.
Biohazard in Vehicle Cleanup – Biohazard in vehicle cleanup is also incredibly common. Whether someone lost their life or merely injured themselves, ensuring that the vehicle is returned to sanitary conditions is important. Consider the heat that San Diego is known for. Now, put dangerous bloodborne pathogens inside of a car that will be baking in the sun and you can start to see the serious issues at hand.
Sharps Cleanup – In the case of violent crime or drug-based suicide, the safe disposal of the objects involved must be a priority. Sharp cleanup services help to get needles, knives and other dangerous objects that were involved in the tragedy out of the way in a safe manner.
Homicide – Homicide cleanup can be required in both public and private properties. If a homicide occurs in a public space then the city is in charge of paying for sanitation services. In a private residence, you’ll need the assistance of a qualified biohazard cleanup crew. With traumatic homicides, of which they almost all are, the danger of spreading pathogens via blood and bodily fluids is heightened.
Impact of a Biohazard Cleanup Team
If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of needing aide from a biohazard cleanup team, rest easy knowing that help is on the way. While there is no joy in dealing with the fallout from the tragic loss of a loved one, there can be some respite provided in the form of timely, effective and affordable biohazard cleanup services. The right biohazard cleanup team can offer a host of different benefits to you in your time of need.
1) Timely & Discreet Assistance
2) Sanitized & Safe Environment
3) Compassionate Understanding
4) Proper Disposal of Hazardous Materials
A professional biohazard cleanup service will be rendered with a team staffed with experienced members armed with the right gear to get the job done. From modern personal protective gear (PPE) to updated Hazmat materials, a biohazard cleanup crew can make your experience dealing with the loss a little more palatable.
Typically, modern biohazard cleanup teams will be equipped with gloves, goggles, masks, uniforms and industrial grade sanitization chemicals. After being contacted during your time of need, the biohazard cleanup team will arrive in discreet vehicles in order to begin the process of remediation within your home or automobile. The staff of workers will work with professionalism grounded in their every action and compassion in their every work. Unmarked vehicles and logo-less uniforms will allow your privacy to be protected. Professional biohazard cleaners will also speak only with the head of the household who ordered the service, thus furthering the protection of your privacy.
Once your property has been returned to a sanitary and clean condition, you can move forward in dealing with the powerful emotions that are no doubt at the forefront of your mind. While nobody will ever take joy in biohazard cleanup services, they can at least take solace in having a hard and important job done well.
Finding Solace in the Wake of Tragedy
Once the important task of biohazard remediation has been accounted for, it can be time to start taking care of your own mental state of mind. It’s not often talked about, but tragedy can beget tragedy. In the wake of the tragic and unforeseen loss of a loved one, it can be easy for people to succumb to their own grief. There has been a long-held societal stigma against the release of emotion and that’s a shame. If you or a loved one are having difficulties dealing with emotions in the wake of a tragedy, feel free to reach out to those that can help you.
There are countless grief therapists located throughout San Diego, CA. If you or a loved one are having trouble processing your grief, it can help to speak to someone who knows how to walk you through the process. It is also important to remember that grief afflicts everyone differently. While you may feel empty due to your grief, someone you know might feel angry and ready to lash out. There are no improper feelings, only the emotions that you have. Take those emotions to the licensed and certified counselors who can help you to direct them in the right direction. With a lot of effort, you’ll hopefully be able to put your grief into a manageable context.
Photo Courtesy of Port of San Diego.
