Hydration

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

Signs of Heat Exhaustion

I recently performed a Trauma Clean-up for a suicide victim. In any type of trauma clean-up, PPE gear is not only a requirement, but is critical to protecting you from any harmful pathogens.

From head-to-toe, every part of your body should be covered up and protected. Chemical resistant full body suit w/booties and hood attached, latex or nitrile gloves underneath chemical resistant gloves, and a full face respirator with organic vapor filters are all part of the PPE gear used in a trauma clean-up.

None of this gear is made of breathable material except the respirator filters. Within about 10-15 minutes of performing the service, I was dripping wet, and finding that my breathing was getting heavy. In about 30 minutes time, I needed to take a break and hydrate. 

On my way home, I felt exhausted and had a headache. Had I done a better job of staying hydrated, these after effects would have likely been much less of an issue.

Anytime you have a service to perform that requires use of PPE gear such as noted above, be sure to hydrate at regular intervals and take frequent breaks to prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Pests: A Biohazard?

3/15/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial Kitchen

The definition of biohazard, at least according to Merriman-Webster, is "a biological agent or condition that is a hazard to humans or the environment also : a hazard posed by such an agent or condition.

Human blood, animal waste, bodily fluids and pathological waste are all sources of biohazards as defined. A number of pests also transmit disease:

• Histoplasmosis: An infection caused by a fungus that derives from bat and bird droppings.
• Salmonellosis: A bacteria that can be transmitted through the fecal matter of cockroaches. 
• Plague: A disease that affects humans and animals. Typically transmitted by the bite of a rodent flea that is carrying the bacteria.
• Lyme: A bacterial infection spread through the bite of an infected tick.

Pests spread a number of viruses, bacteria and diseases and can adversely effect our food and water supply. Pest Control is about management of the environment in which these pests live, feed and breed. Keeping these areas clean and constant monitoring is a practical, necessary approach to pest control.

Pesticides and rodenticides help to kill pests, but they are not a total solution. Removing access, removing food and moisture sources and good sanitation practices are the key to a successful pest control program.

While we at SERVPRO are not licensed pest control technicians, we are experts at cleaning, a service that goes hand-in-hand with pest control best practices.

Bio-Hazard Process

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

Crime Scene

Reader Discretion Advised. This blog is about what happens when an individual has passed away and SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry is called to handle the aftermath. 

As of this writing, 2021 has seen 5 bio-hazard clean-up services due to death that I have been involved with. Three by natural causes, one voluntary, and one involuntary.  

Death takes on several forms, naturally, voluntarily, or involuntarily. All three have one thing in common in that when an individual passes, their bodily fluids and gases release from their body. The bodily fluids and gases attract flies, typically Blow Flies. The Blow Flies lay their eggs within a couple of days from date of death, which then hatch, bringing the flies into the larval stage, infesting the body.  

Should the individual pass while in the presence of others, or be discovered shortly after death, then the above scenario will not likely have occurred. However, if the individual hasn't been discovered for several plus days, then the above scenario becomes a reality. 

When the body is discovered, and if there are circumstances that appear unsavory, or of a self inflicted nature, the Police need to officially clear the scene before clean-up can begin. Once cleared, SERVPRO can go in and clean up the areas affected by the death (ie: carpets removed, bed linens bagged and disposed of, furniture bagged and disposed of, blood cleaned off of furnishings or walls, personal items cleaned and bagged, etc...).  

For our part, the initial cleaning is performed to enable the family to go in and collect any personal items without being traumatized. Once the family has retrieved personal effects, SERVPRO will go back in and clean any remaining items or areas that may need additional attention, then we set-up Ozone equipment to neutralize any odors and kill off any remaining pests. Once the odors have been neutralized, at that point, we should be done with the service with the exception of disposal, which is contracted with a company that is Certified and Licensed for Bio-Hazard waste. 

This scenario would be a typical process for an individual that resides in some type of rental setting where there is a Property Management company on-site, or directly managed through a landlord. 

The cleaning part of the job is certainly difficult, but the harder part is the snapshot you get of a lost life. That can be the saddest thing to deal with. Keeping the family in mind while performing this duty, showing compassion and empathy, understanding the importance of minimizing their trauma is what makes this type of service worthwhile performing. It's never easy, but it has to be done. 

I write this at this time of year as many individuals have difficulty dealing with the holidays for a variety of reasons. Be mindful of this, look for the signs of depression and desperation, and offer a kind word or company when you can. If you believe somebody may need immediate help, there are numerous non-profit agencies out there that can provide assistance. 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline @ 800.273.8255 

Veterans Crisis Line @ 800.273.8255 

National Alliance on Mental Illness @ 800.950.6264

Wildlife Intrusion

10/28/2019 (Permalink)

Squirrel In Attic

As the Fall season begins, it's time to make our way up into our attic to pull out our fall and winter clothes along with our holiday decorations. While up there, we notice signs of an intrusion... mice, squirrels, even birds and bats.

Why are they there? They're looking for a warm place to harbor. Besides the physical damage they do, these pests carry other pests with them such as bird mites, bat bugs, fleas and ticks. They also defecate and urinate throughout.

Closing off access to these pests prevents entry. Cleaning up and removing the nests and feces gets rid of the parasites. Disinfecting and sanitizing the area removes the toxins.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry can help. Message me today for your No-Cost assessment.

Wildlife Invasion

4/25/2019 (Permalink)

Raccoon in Attic

Wildlife invasion is prominent during the spring and fall seasons. In the spring, most wildlife and birds mate and look for safe, protective nesting sites. Many times these sites are within overhangs and attics in homes. Some pests, such as mice, live their lives within the home in your walls, under your floor boards and in your attics.

A number of issues come about from having animals, birds and mice in your home such as mites, parasites, or the death of one of these creatures. If you have ever had a dead animal in your walls, you can attest to the smell. Dead animals and birds also attract bottle flies that then lay their eggs and produce larvae (ie: maggots). These flies are living off the carcass of the dead animal or bird, possibly landing on numerous food products and surfaces within your home, depositing germs and bacteria. 

It sounds gross, because it is gross. But that is nature taking its natural course.

That's where SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry can be of help. While we are not licensed to trap and remove wildlife, pests or birds, we can help in the clean-up, sanitizing and disinfectant of the areas affected.

Call SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry for more details.