Should I hire a trauma cleaning business to clean my property from top to bottom after a natural death?

The cleanup after a natural death at a home or other property can be difficult and traumatic, especially if the person was left undiscovered for a long time. To eliminate any potential health hazards, it is usually necessary to have the property cleaned from top to bottom by a professional trauma cleaning firm.

The following topics will be discussed in this blog post:

• Is it true that decaying bodies provide a higher risk?
• Why do you need to employ a professional to clean up after a natural death?
• What to look for when hiring a trauma cleaning company
• What is the procedure for cleansing a natural death?
• What if the death is unexplained?

Although cleaning a trauma scene after a natural death may appear to be a viable option, it's crucial to be aware of the risks involved, as most death cleanups pose serious health risks.

"Like any trauma cleaning, there are always major risk considerations associated in cleaning a location where there has been a death," explains trauma cleaning specialist Graham Hickman of Complete Environmental Services. "If the property isn't cleaned effectively, there is a risk of biohazard exposure to anyone who enters the area. This can lead to bacterial infections such as MRSA and tetanus, or even exposure to HIV or hepatitis. It’s therefore imperative that you seek professional advice and use a reputable company to clean the contaminated area, especially if the body is badly decomposed.”

Is it true that decaying bodies provide a higher risk?

When a body is discovered badly decomposed, the risk of infection or contamination increases. When a body decomposes, it releases fluids and gases into the environment, contaminating it. If these fluids are not thoroughly cleaned, they might spread infections including Hepatitis B and C, TB, and Clostridium difficile to others.

Why do you need to employ a professional to clean up after a natural death?

A professional trauma cleaning firm will have the experience and competence to safely and thoroughly clean the property, removing all biohazardous materials. They will also wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure that they and the people around them are protected from cross-contamination.

What to look for when hiring a trauma cleaning company

Trauma cleaners with licences from the National Association of Crime Scene Cleaners (NACSC) or the British Institute of Cleaning Science will be accredited (BICSc). A good indication of experience and safety standards is an IOSH accreditation. All of these certifications carry a lot of weight and show that the organisation follows industry best practises.

Deaths are traumatic, and only trained professionals will be able to handle all elements of the cleanup and operations diplomatically.

What is the procedure for cleansing a natural death?

Cleaning up after a natural death varies based on the circumstances and the level of contamination. It will, however, usually entail the following:

• All surfaces, including floors, walls, and ceilings, must be thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated.
• Biohazardous items, such as bodily fluids or blood, must be removed and disposed of.
• Decontaminated furniture is completely removed.

What if the death is unexplained?

If the death is suspected, it's critical to phone the police right away since evidence will need to be gathered on the premises. Trauma cleaners are completely qualified to deal with crime scene cleaning, road traffic accident cleaning, and suicide cleaning in addition to dealing with natural deaths.