Homes are meant to be safe places, but there are threats to your family’s health and safety that you’ll need to protect them from. Biohazard waste can expose your family to infection, injuries, and toxic effects. Know the most common household dangers that require biohazard cleanup so you can look out for them in your own environment.

Household Hazards to Handle with Biohazard Cleanup

1. Blood

Any items that have been contaminated with blood are a hazard, as infection can spread through contact with it. Some examples of blood-borne viruses include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. There’s an especially high risk of infection if the contaminated item comes into contact with an open wound or body cavities such as the nose or mouth.

2. Animal Waste

Animal waste such as feces and bedding material contain dangerous pathogenic microorganisms. Feces poses a much higher danger than bedding material, but it’s best to be safe and treat bedding material accordingly.

3. Human Waste

Human waste such as feces, urine, and semen can all transmit disease just as blood can. Human waste can become a serious problem if a sewer line gets clogged and the toilets start to back up. In these cases, biohazard cleanup is essential.

4. Pathological Waste

Pathological waste is human anatomical waste such as human tissue. It is more common in laboratories and hospitals than households, but it can still occur in homes.

5. Sharps Waste

Sharps could be items that often found in the kitchen or used in a first aid kit. These are contaminated sharp materials such as needles, syringes and blades. They require special handling and packaging, since the sharp objects can easily puncture the skin or any bags that you put them in.

No matter what type of contaminant you’re dealing with, never try to clean it up on your own. Special equipment and training are required in biohazard cleanup, which SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine / St. Augustine Beach specializes in. Each staff member is fully trained and WRT-certified to handle everything from storm damage restoration to carpet cleaning. See their full scope of services online and call (904) 429-4457 to schedule your emergency cleaning services.