If you have never experienced an unattended death, you are fortunate enough because such scenes are formidable!
Yes, discovering the remains of someone who has passed away unattended is very saddening. But at the same time, the situation is both harmful and risky. Hence in such cases, no regular cleaning can help.
There are various reasons possible for unexpected deaths, including suicide, homicide, accident, or natural causes. Encountering a lifeless body is more than likely to be a shocking moment, whatever caused a person’s death.
However, if ever, unfortunately, you find yourself in a position in which you need to address the aftermath of an unattended death, you must have an essential understanding of two prime factors associated with the tragic situation.
First, you must understand the risks associated with an unattended death.
Second, you need to know what is involved in an unattended death cleanup, which, in reality, is better referenced as bio hazard remediation.
Let’s begin with what actually an Unattended Death means!
About Unattended Death & Its Types
For anyone unknown, unattended death is broadly known as occurring if a person dies with no one else around. A harsh reality associated with an unattended death is that the remains of the deceased individual are never discovered immediately. Sometimes the days, weeks, and even months may pass before the remains of the deceased individual get found.
Some common types of unattended deaths are:
- Accidents
- Fatal diseases or illnesses
- Suicides
- Homicides
- Natural causes
If we talk about places, a significant number of unattended deaths happens in a person’s home only. Many times, this takes place with an individual who lives alone. And, maybe the deceased person does not have had regular visitors during life, the death does not get discovered in a more immediate period.
If a Person Dies an Unattended Death…
Well, what happens immediately after unattended death bases on whether the cause of death was traumatic or not.
Let’s say the death was traumatic, then it may result in the release of blood and other bodily fluids, and the scene may immediately become contaminated with bloodborne and similar pathogens. Likewise, the decomposition process commences.
But if the death was not traumatic, the decomposition process commences immediately but potentially dangerous pathogens do not release immediately into the scene. That process will likely begin between 24 and 48 hours after the person passes on.
Regardless of death type, directly after death, the remains of the deceased person will begin to experience outwardly noticeable physical changes like the cooling of the remains to the ambient temperature near the body. Or blood will begin pooling at the point of the body, and since the blood is no longer circulating, gravity causes this collection. Moreover, between 8 to 12 hours after death, a stiffening of the body begins.
Many people have this belief that the rigor mortis is a permanent state. However, the body remains inflexible for approximately 12 hours from the onset of full rigor mortis. And, after that time, the body starts to regain its flexibility.
Summed up briefly, more profound changes happen within the body right after death. On top of that, these changes may be initially not noticeable during the decomposition of the body.
Refrain From A Do-it-yourself Cleanup & Call Professionals
All dangerous signs mentioned above suggests how a biohazard cleanup is a risky job.
Harmful bacteria unleashes, and Airborne pathogens circulate during the body’s decomposition process. So, why risk your health by attempting to clean the area, when you might end up exposing yourself to serious illness? And, that’s not something you want. So, as a wise decision, you can directly contact a professional cleanup service.
No matter, if the death occurs due to natural causes, and the body has been left only for a few hours, then also the surroundings need swift, critical, and professional cleaning. The reason behind this is, biohazard cleaning technicians carry protective gear and have specialized training to clean any unattended death scene. The skills and expertise of cleanup specialists are vital and prevent those living in the home from being exposed to dangerous pathogens.
Moreover, until professional cleanup services address the home, the property itself can be uninhabitable and unsafe for the course of time. Best of all, professionals even help with sanitization, deodorization, and restoration, in the aftermath of an unattended death cleanup.
Well, not to forget, your health is in your hands, so make the decision wisely!
