Discovering an unattended death can be devastating. There’s no easy way to process such a loss, but knowing what to do next can make navigating these unfortunate circumstances more manageable.
Read on, as we discuss the first steps to take after finding an unattended death. At Grimebusters, we’ve been helping Edmonton families with biohazard cleanup for over 30 years. If you’ve found an unattended death, our team is here to handle the cleanup process with care and respect. Continue reading to find out more.
What Is an Unattended Death?
An unattended death occurs when someone passes away alone and isn’t found for some time. It can take a while for the body to be found, whether it’s days, weeks, or even longer. It can be traumatic to discover, and proper care is needed to ensure the health and well-being of those affected.
Your Next Steps to Take
It can be overwhelming dealing with the aftermath of finding an unattended death. But knowing what to do in this situation can both keep you informed and protect your well-being.
After discovering an unattended death, here are the next steps to take:
- Call the Authorities
- In the event of an unattended death, it’s crucial to contact the authorities first.
- Don’t attempt to move the body or do any cleaning yourself.
- They’ll perform the initial steps necessary to ensure safety, including required documentation.
- Contact Grimebusters
- After the authorities have finished their steps, get in touch with Grimebusters. We offer a timely same-day response for unattended death calls, available 24/7.
- Go Through the Initial Inspection
- Once our team arrives on the scene, we’ll conduct a thorough preliminary inspection.
- After these initial steps, we’ll create a detailed cleanup plan with a full cost breakdown. We take care to ensure the estimates are as accurate as possible.
- Biohazard Cleanup Begins
- After inspection, we’ll go through the entire process of cleaning and remediating the space.
- This includes waste and content removal, odour control, reconstruction, and everything else necessary to ensure the space is livable.
- You won’t need to stay on-site; we’ll contact you as soon as the cleanup is finished.
- Walkthrough and Final Inspection
- After we’re finished with the biohazard cleanup and remediation, we’ll go through the final inspection.
- We’ll walk through what exactly we did and answer any questions you may have.
- Work with Insurance for Reimbursement
- Homeowner or landlord insurance typically covers the costs associated with unattended death and biohazard cleanup.
- We’re able to help you navigate the claim discussion with your insurance provider as well.
- Get Support
- Finding an unattended death is a heavy, difficult situation to experience. Prioritize your well-being and seek supportto deal with the emotional aftermath.
Why Seek Professional Cleanup
The emotional impact of finding an unattended death can be long-lasting and also harmful to one’s physical well-being if not dealt with properly. Bodily contaminants found on the scene are biohazards, and unprotected exposure can cause both short-term and long-term effects.
Some of these effects may include:
- Skin rashes, irritations, and infections
- Breathing issues, coughing, shortness of breath
- Eye redness, inflammation, and infection
- Gastrointestinal irritation, such as vomiting and diarrhea
When you work with Grimebusters, you receive comprehensive care. Our team has decades of experience working with these delicate situations. We’re trained to approach each one with not only empathy, but also extensive expertise. Grimebusters takes care of everything to ensure the space is livable and comfortable again. This includes cleanup, but also full remediation of the space if needed, like:
- Floor and baseboard replacement
- Wall repainting
- Drywall replacement
- Surface sealing
Reliable Help One Phone Call Away With Grimebusters
Dealing with an unattended death should never be something to go through alone. Reach out to Grimebusters today to learn more about our unattended death services and receive essential care.