Once law enforcement is finished with the scene of the crime, they leave the space as is and the cleaning falls to those who own the space. Police officers and first responders are not trained to safely clean and sanitize a crime scene and are therefore not responsible after the scene has been processed. While it may feel like first nature to clean the crime scene yourself, especially if it is in your own home, it’s incredibly important that you understand the dangers of cleaning a crime scene by yourself. Biohazard cleaners have the knowledge and the tools needed to safely clean and decontaminate crime scenes, so you can have peace of mind that you are safe to return.
Many hazards can go unnoticed
The scene of a crime is often left in disarray and it’s easy to miss some of the most dangerous elements left behind. Debris like broken glass, bullet fragments, and shattered china can scatter into the hard-to-find places and can be dangerous when found. Running a vacuum over a space may grab things easily detected on the surface but does not guarantee that these hazards are gone entirely. If you are planning to have small children or pets in the space after you clean, this is especially important.
Infectious diseases can live on surfaces for a long time
Many diseases can spread by touching the same objects and some live much longer than others on surfaces. FM Link states that viruses are the most common cause of infectious diseases acquired indoors. The rapid spread of diseases like Norovirus and smallpox have both been attributed to the virus living on non-porous surfaces at room temperature. The scene of a crime can have many unexpected factors, and a dead body or severe accident can cause germs to spread and go undetected if not properly cleaned.
Bloodborne pathogens can be extremely dangerous
According to OSHA, bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and can be incredibly dangerous when one becomes exposed to them. Most crime scenes will have blood stains or spills and these need to be cleaned and decontaminated properly.
In addition to the dangers of cleaning a crime scene by yourself, the cleaning of medical waste that is collected at a trauma scene must be lawfully disposed of according to the 1992 Medical Waste Act. Working with companies like Xtreme Cleaners, you can be rest assured that your property will be professionally cleaned, and the medical waste will be disposed of legally.
How biohazard cleaners can help
A crime scene may occur anytime or anywhere and without the proper cleaning and disinfecting they can be incredibly dangerous. Biohazard cleaning companies make it their top priority to restore the scene to its original or better than original condition. With a potential for a significant amount of blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIMs) that contain infectious diseases, only certified crime scene cleanup technicians can properly clean a crime scene.
At Xtreme Cleaners, we specialize in providing discreet and thorough biohazard remediation cleaning services in Louisiana. If you find yourself responsible for cleaning a crime scene, it’s important to work with a team of professionals who can help. If you or someone you know needs help cleaning a crime scene in Louisiana, give us a call at 800-524-9591.
