Suicide is an unspeakably tragic event. Whether it is a family member, roommate, or tenant, it is an emotionally intense situation. This is paired with the complex logistics of working with law enforcement, contacting family members, and dealing with personal affairs. In addition to these issues, someone needs to clean up any mess left by the incident.

Hiring suicide clean up service will ensure that your property goes back to normal as soon as possible. What do these services do? Here is an overview of their two-step approach.

Before Cleaning: Working with Law Enforcement

Before cleaning begins, law enforcement does need to assess the scene. Even cases that are clearly suicides or drug overdoses need to be treated as a possible crime scene. It is essential to follow the instructions of police officers. If the individual is deceased upon your arrival, leave the room and do not touch anything until the police arrive.

While cleaning needs to wait until police have completed their work, you should contact a suicide clean-up service while assessments are underway. This will ensure a cleaning crew is on-site, equipped, and ready to work as soon as possible. Technicians can also discuss clean-up and repairs while police are investigating.

Removing Dangerous Materials and Biohazardous Waste

Once a scene is released for suicide clean-up service, the priority is to remove dangerous materials from the site so technicians can operate more freely. Weapons, sharp objects, and drug paraphernalia that remain at the scene are safely disposed of. Cleaners can then begin to address biohazardous materials.

Suicides, and other traumatic events, often involve significant amounts of bodily fluids. This includes blood, vomit, or fecal matter. Not only are these intensely unpleasant to handle, but they also pose a biohazard risk. Rare and dangerous diseases can be transmitted through bodily fluids, so it is essential that only trained professionals clean them.

Clean-Up and Repair

Once safety hazards of the scene have been addressed, suicide clean-up services can now focus on conventional cleaning and repairs. Rooms should be “good as new” after technicians address them because damage or stains may trigger traumatic memories for the occupants.

Carpeting or wallpaper may have to be replaced in the course of repairs. Blood or other bodily fluids can stain carpeting, especially if they are left for any length of time. Many property owners take this as an opportunity to renovate a room, reducing the association with the traumatic incident.

In cases where a body has not been found and several days have elapsed, there may be a disagreeable smell in the room. This odor may be invisible, but it is essential to address it. A combination of powerful cleaning products and ventilation will address these lingering odors.

Discreet and Sensitive Service

Professional suicide clean-up services aren’t just about the work completed but also about how the work gets completed. Suicide is a highly traumatic and disturbing situation, especially if the deceased is a family member or loved one. There is also tremendous stress from dealing with law enforcement, organizing legal affairs, and managing funeral logistics. Cleaning technicians need to find a way to do their jobs without getting in the way of everything else.

Technicians working in suicide clean-up services must be trained to work in a manner that is respectful to grieving members of the household while doing a thorough job. Cleaning should also be done as quickly as possible so the spaces can be used again. Achieving this balance while remaining sensitive to the family’s needs comes from experience and a high standard of professionalism.

In the case of apartment buildings and hotels, discretion is critical. Some people are inappropriately nosey and will become curious about the suicide. It is essential to minimize attention to the affected unit. Cleaning and renovating also need to be completed as soon as possible so the space can be reused.

Professional Suicide Clean Up Services

Suicide is a terrible situation, and there is no way to change that. Professional suicide cleaning services help make the circumstances slightly easier. While it is impossible for things to ever go “back to normal” after a suicide, clean-up services help you find a new normal so you can move on with your life.