If somebody dies at home unexpectedly and they are alone, it is called an unattended death. Because body decomposition begins as soon as the person dies, it is imperative to be aware of the potential health hazards that come with finding a dead body in a residence.
Bodies that aren’t discovered for days can quickly decompose, especially in warm climates, causing bodily fluid spillage that can carry bloodborne pathogens and other harmful diseases (such as Hepatitis B and C, HIV, MRSA and more).
Even if you knew the departed well and they were not knowingly infected, they could still be a disease carrier and unaware of it, so treating the scene as a biohazard is of utmost importance.
- Call the police. Calling first responders to photograph the scene, collect evidence and properly take the body away is the first step.
- Do not touch. Do not attempt to clean the scene by yourself. If homicidal foul play or suicide is involved, chances are, there will be grisly physical reminders of the traumatic event. Depending on the situation, biohazardous substances will be present, so don’t expose yourself to harmful diseases when it’s not necessary.
Call Aftermath Services. Many people are not aware that cleaning a trauma scene isn’t something the police do. Once the sirens fade and the dust settles,
you are left with an often messy situation on your hands. Aftermath Services provides discreet, compassionate and professional biohazard & trauma cleanup services that fully remediate trauma sites with hospital-level disinfection with OSHA-approved methods.
