Recent Biohazard Posts

Biohazard and Crime Scene Cleanup In Myrtle Beach

7/26/2018 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO before you touch anything Biohazardous!

Biohazard, Vandalism, & Crime Scene, Cleanup and Restoration Services

Recognized as a leading fire, water, and mold cleanup and restoration provider by hundreds of insurance companies nationwide, SERVPRO offers fast, reliable biohazard and crime scene cleanup and restoration services to residential and commercial property owners.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences for building occupants, employees, and customers. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazardous substances can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

Your local SERVPRO Professionals are trained to safely and effectively remove biohazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA and state and local health regulations. Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, SERVPRO Professionals help turn unsafe environments into clean, safe homes and offices.

SERVPRO can help with the following:

  • Bloodborne Pathogens
  • Crime Scene Residues
  • Arson
  • Vandalism
  • Sewage Backups
  • Black Water Intrusions
  • Mold Mitigation and Remediation
  • And much more ...

If you need help cleaning up any of the above-mentioned items give us a call! (843) 236-6278

Sometimes SERVPRO Finds Pets

7/28/2016 (Permalink)

We go above and beyond when it comes to pets!

Sometimes when performing a biohazard or crime scene clean up we find pets.

Sometimes those pets are deceased and we remove them properly, but sometimes those pets are alive and need to be relocated.

Today our crews were cleaning up a biohazard situation in Garden City South Carolina where the occupant of an apartment had passed away and due to the fact of not having close friends or family, it had gone unnoticed for about 3 weeks until other occupants around the unit started to notice an extremely pungent odor. When our mitigation specialists showed up to begin the pack out and cleaning they noticed there was a cat in the unit.

The crew notified our office and our Adminitrative Assistant Lauren Labbate took the ball and ran with it. Lauren is a pet foster mom to several dogs so she knew exactly what to do. She began researching other foster companies around the Surfside Beach area that might be able to come help us out.

She came across a wonderful lady named Kelsey with Rudy's Rescue and she called and explained our situation. Kelsey agreed to help us out and has gone to the property and removed the cat to be placed in her foster program so that someone else can enjoy its company for many more years to come.

We would like to thank Kelsey and Lauren for both going above and beyond the normal call of duty and really rising to the occasion.

If you would like to help out Rudy's Rescue they have a GoFundMe Page that you can contribute to by clicking here

If you have a biohazardous situation because of a passing of a loved one and need help with the clean up call SERVPRO today 843-236-6278!

Get The Lead Out!

2/3/2016 (Permalink)

Does Your Property Contain Lead?

What you need to know about LEAD PAINT!

Does your home contain lead paint?

Older homes, older child care facilities, schools and other buildings are more likely to contain lead-based paint. Homes may be private, government-assisted or public housing. Schools are preschools and kindergarten classrooms. They may be urban, suburban or rural.

Percentage of homes likely to contain lead: 

Built between 1960-1978 = 24%

Built between 1940-1960 = 69%

Built before 1940 = 87%

Here are some quick facts about LEAD PAINT.

Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978.

Lead can affect children’s brains and developing nervous systems, causing reduced IQ, learning disabilities and behavioral problems.

Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.

Lead is also harmful to adults and the elderly.

Lead in dust is the most common way people are exposed to lead. People can also get lead in their bodies from lead in soil or paint chips. Lead dust is often invisible.

Projects that disturb lead-based paint can create dust and endanger you and your family.

In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard. 

Know the law.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools be certifi ed by the EPA. These firms also must use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices. According to EPA requirements (40 CFR Part 745) contractors must use lead-safe work practices and follow these three simple procedures:

  1. Contain the work area.
  2. Minimize dust.
  3. Clean up thoroughly

We here at SERVPRO know how to keep you and your loved ones safe during the Lead Paint Removal Process, call us now at 843-236-6278.

Sewage Backup Clean Up

1/27/2016 (Permalink)

Sewage is serious, let SERVPRO help.

Sewage backups and black water intrusions are more than nasty, smelly deposits – these damages also introduce harmful microorganisms into a structure. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals remove the sewage, contaminates and moisture, disinfecting as they clean. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals help ensure the structure is properly cleaned, disinfested and deodorized.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences for building occupants, employees, customers and owners. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazardous substances can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

What diseases/illnesses can you get from exposure to sewage-contaminated water?

Gastro-enteritis is the most commonly reported illness associated with oral exposure to contaminated water. Gastro-enteritis is an infection of the gastrointestinal tract, also known as the “stomach flu.” Gastroenteritis is characterized by cramping stomach pains, diarrhea and vomiting.

The following is a list of some disease – causing organisms that can be transmitted by contact with flood water or sewage:

·         Campylobacteriosis

·         Giardia

·         Solmonella

·         Cryptosporidium

·         E. Coli

·         Hepatitis A

·         Shigella

·         Most common diarrheal illness in the U.S.A

The safest plan of action is to just let the qualified professionals at SERVPRO handle the clean up for you. Call us 24/7 if you need help 843-236-6278!

Crime Scene Residue Clean Up

1/27/2016 (Permalink)

If you have to deal with the aftermath from a crime scene, give us a call we can help.

From fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can clean and restore your property and contents.

If you happen to get pepper spray on yourself here is what the contributors at RedHotPepperSpray.com suggest you do immediately:

If you get pepper spray on yourself, don’t panic. Water, soap and time are all that is needed to decontaminate you. Exposure to fresh air should help, too. Remove all contaminated clothing. Flush the affected area with cool water. Warm water may intensify the burning and inflammation. Do not rub your face! Wash the affected area with non-oil or cold cream based soap. Don't apply oily lotions--they will trap OC resin onto your skin. Have a physician examine the exposed area if any irritation or pain persists after the decontamination procedures.

If you have a room or area that has been contaminated by these kinds of sprays, give SERVPRO a call today, we will clean it right. 843-236-6278

Bloodborne Pathogens Can Be Deadly

1/27/2016 (Permalink)

Don't risk cleaning mass amounts of blood up yourself.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accicent, trauma, crime or death. Trained SERVPRO Franchise Technicians thoroughly clean, disinfect and deodorize the structure for you.

Body fluids, including blood, feces, and vomit are all considered potentially contaminated with bloodborne or other germs. Therefore, spills of these fluids should be cleaned up and the contaminated surfaces disinfected immediately.

The CDC suggests you use bleach to clean bodily fluids that could contain bloodborne pathogens from hard surfaces in this article. They even have 10 Tips to help you out.

Clean-up Procedure Using Bleach Solution

  1. Block off the area of the spill from patrons until clean-up and disinfection is complete.
  2. Put on disposable gloves to prevent contamination of hands.
  3. Wipe up the spill using paper towels or absorbent material and place in a plastic garbage bag.
  4. Gently pour bleach solution onto all contaminated areas of the surface.
  5. Let the bleach solution remain on the contaminated area for 20 minutes.
  6. Wipe up the remaining bleach solution.
  7. All non-disposable cleaning materials used such as mops and scrub brushes should be disinfected by saturating with bleach solution and air dried.
  8. Remove gloves and place in plastic garbage bag with all soiled cleaning materials.
  9. Double-bag and securely tie-up plastic garbage bags and discard.
  10. Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water.

We suggest you leave clean up of this nature to us here at SERVPRO, we will do it right the first time. Call us to come help you clean today 843-236-6278!