Last year, there was a 5 percent increase in homicides in major American cities. Domestic violence and gun violence are high up on the list of homicide causes, with many of the deaths occurring at home.

After a violent crime is committed, the location of the crime contains biohazards like blood, pathogens, and other bodily fluids. Surfaces and properties that have been exposed to decomposition need to be disinfected before humans can reoccupy the space. That is what a trauma cleanup company does.

If a traumatic event has happened in your home, read on to learn how to hire the best traumatic event cleanup company.

1. Ask About Certifications and Licenses

Certifications and licenses for traumatic event cleaning companies vary from state to state, but technicians have to provide evidence of a medical waste transporter license. They should have a contract with a licensed medical waste disposal company.

The best companies are certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration and the Cleaning and Restoration Association.

2. Choose Training and Expertise

A traumatic event cleanup team has to have experience removing biohazardous waste. They must have training in areas like:

• Blood-borne pathogen training and compliance
• Hazardous communication training and compliance
• PPE training and compliance
• Respiratory protection training and compliance
• Heat-illness awareness training
• Medical waste handling and transport training
• OSHA training for use of ladders, machinery, scaffolding, and more

They have to also use specialized equipment and EPA-rated disinfecting solutions. When dealing with a crime scene, the team must know how to remove fingerprint powder and other investigative chemicals. There may also be residue from tear gas, pepper spray, or fire extinguishers that require specialized treatments.

3. Check References and Testimonials

The biohazard cleanup company must have references from satisfied clients. Read testimonials on reliable third-party sites like the Better Business Bureau. Look for a company that offers quality results and that does so with compassion and discretion.

4. Ask About Costs

Get a detailed quote before choosing a company. Be sure you know what services you are paying for. The company should tell you about any extra fees they may charge depending on the difficulty of the cleanup or the equipment and products they use.

Have them walk you through the cleanup process to know what to expect.

Some states offer victim relief funds to pay for trauma cleanup. If you are eligible for assistance, ensure the company you choose accepts this coverage.

Trust an Expert Trauma Cleanup Company

Turn to experts for trauma cleanup. Choose a company with years of experience, a good reputation, and the training necessary to help you after disaster strikes.

At Service First Restoration, Inc. we can offer fire damage restoration, mold remediation, water damage restoration, trauma scene cleanup, and so much more. With our dedication to offering quick and efficient services, we are just a phone call away.

Contact us today to request a visit!

Our special training, years of experience, and ongoing education make us uniquely qualified as cleaning and disinfection professionals during this unique time.

From water damage restoration and mold removal to trauma scene cleanup, we know what needs to be done and exactly how to do it.  Our biohazard remediation technicians are IICRC certified (IICRC is the leading world-wide leader in cleaning and restoration certification), and fully versed in guidelines and regulations from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), and local regulations.

Our specialists have been using personal protective equipment (PPE) for years, together with EPA registered products and IICRC procedures.  And they’re ready for immediate action — 24 hour emergency responses are routine for us.

Decontamination of the “Ordinary”

Flooding is a more common and more serious health hazard than you might think.

Despite coming from a clean source, lingering water from a plumbing or appliance failure becomes filled with bacteria, mold, and fungi within just a couple of days.  It then has to be treated as hazardous as raw sewage.  You probably know that lingering moisture often leads to mold, and its release of spores and other allergens and perhaps even toxins.  It also leads to bacterial growth, the source of any unpleasant odors.  So our water damage crews are experts in absolutely thorough cleaning and disinfection procedures.  And they have all the specialized equipment and non-consumer products for fast and effective results dealing with

• air conditioning duct-work,
• blinds,
• building surfaces — floors, walls, ceilings,
• carpets,
• drapes,
• furniture,
• home and business electronics,
• upholstery,
• and more.

Sewage and Flood Water

Floodwater that’s been in contact with the ground is almost immediately filled with a host of microbes and parasites, often combined with pesticides and other chemical contaminants.  And it goes without saying that a raw sewage backup or toilet overflow is a serious disease risk.  It’s been shown to contain Corona viruses, although it’s not clear if they remain infectious.  So extremely detailed cleaning, disinfecting, and replacing contaminated materials is a must.  Pathogens easily become airborne, so a full range of PPE together with isolating affected areas is also a must.

Dealing with Disease

We’re also prepared for the most serious of situations — trauma scene and crime scene cleanup, unattended deaths, injury accidents, and animal infestations.  This sort of “forensic” cleaning goes several levels beyond bleach, using hospital-grade disinfectants together with detailed procedures for keeping everyone safe.

COVID

Science still has much to learn about COVID-19, so no one can really claim to be SARS-CoV-2 experts.  But we are highly-trained experts with years of experience in health-hazard related cleanup services.  That means we’re well-prepared for CDC protocols that go way beyond janitorial practices to clean and disinfect porous and non-porous surfaces alike.

To share some basics, it’s important to clean and disinfect “high-touch” surfaces every day, as frequently as possible.  These include

• bathroom and kitchen fixtures,
• countertops, desktops, and tabletops,
• doorknobs,
• elevator cars,
• fitness equipment,
• carpets and rugs
• keyboards and mice,
• laptops,
• light-switches,
• phones,
• playground equipment,
• shelving and racks
• stair handrails
• toilets, and
• water fountains.

But this list is far from complete.  If people touch it or work near it, clean it!

For More

Whether for a washing-machine overflow, a sewage backup, or re-opening a business you can count on us to make homes and businesses clean and safe once again.

We’ve found the following websites to be especially informative, with links to additional pages.

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html