After an injury or an accident
Blood and body fluid cleanup
A fall, a deep cut, a medical emergency at home. Once the person is in care, there may be blood on the floor, on furniture or in the carpet.
Phone answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Why blood is treated as a hazard
Blood can carry germs such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Workers who may be exposed to blood must be protected with a written plan, protective clothing and training under federal rules (OSHA). A family member with a mop and a bucket has none of that.
The other problem is what you cannot see. Blood that looks dry on top can still be wet in the carpet pad, between floorboards or under a baseboard.
Small spill or a job for a company?
Often fine yourself
A few drops on a hard surface
Wear disposable gloves. Clean first with soap and water, then disinfect, leaving the product wet for the time on its label. Never mix cleaning products, and keep the room ventilated (CDC).
Call a company
Anything soaked in or spread out
Blood in carpet, upholstery, a mattress, drywall or grout, or more than you can see the edges of. Also any blood from someone whose health you do not know.
What to ask on the call
- How they find out how far the blood has spread, including under flooring.
- What they expect to remove and what they can clean in place.
- How the waste is packaged and taken away.
- Which disinfectant they use and how long it stays on the surface.
- Whether you will get photos and a written description of the work, which helps if you speak to an insurer.
When you are ready, one call is enough
Tell the company what happened, which room or vehicle it is in, and whether the police and coroner have finished. They will explain the work, when they can come and how they arrive at a price.
Talk to a cleanup company
The call puts you in touch with an independent biohazard cleanup company that works in the Columbia area. Say what happened and ask what you need to know. Whether you hire them is up to you.
Call (803) 637-8296Phone answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Calls may be recorded. Read the referral disclosure and the privacy policy.