Many people don't realize the dangers associated with hoarder cleanouts. The most common hazards include exposure to hazardous materials, such as mold and asbestos; slips, trips and falls; and electrical shocks. These hazards can be deadly, so it's important to be aware before undertaking hoarding cleaning.
Bio-One's damage restoration technicians are trained to handle these hazards safely and have the appropriate safety gear to protect everyone during these often difficult transitions. If you're considering a DIY hoarder cleanup, make sure you know the risks and take precautions to protect yourself:
Health hazards - Mold growth, bacteria, and dust
When hoarding cleaning is neglected, mold growth, bacteria, and dust accumulation may become health hazards. Mold can cause respiratory diseases, allergic reactions, and other health issues due to the toxins it produces. It can also result in damage to the structure of the home. Bacteria is contaminates air conditioning systems, causing difficulty breathing and eye irritation for people or animals exposed.
Additionally, dust accumulates quickly, leading to dust mites that bring about allergies, asthma-trigger irritations, and other negative skin contacts from fabric fibers. It is important to clean homes regularly to prevent these intricate health hazards from occurring within your living environment.
Fire hazards - From overloaded electrical sockets to flammable materials
Fire hazards lurk everywhere, from overflowing electrical outlets to hoarding environments filled with combustible materials. Often, hoarding cleaning is the first step in eliminating fire hazards, as flammable items tucked away can easily spark a blaze. Reviewing each room and area of your home thoroughly can be the difference between preventing a possible fire and a catastrophic event.
Monthly checks of appliances, heating units, and smoke detectors should also become part of your routine for added security against such incidents. If you feel the risk is too high or ever spot even a small flame, act quickly and call professionals.
Safety hazards - Sharp objects, trip hazards, and falling items
Home safety hazards come in many forms, ranging from sharp objects to trip hazards and falling items. Sharp objects might include uncovered electrical outlets or broken glass that has not been cleaned up, while trip hazards can consist of improperly stored cords, sleep-walking mats, or uneven rugs.
Falling items, on the other hand, are a bit more random and often difficult to anticipate. Things like high shelves with heavy items or structures built too close to the ceiling can easily cause large pieces of furniture and decorations to come crashing down if left unchecked. Inspecting your home regularly for all types of safety hazards is important to prevent dangerous incidents.
Emotional hazards - dealing with the stress of cleaning up someone else's mess
Cleaning up someone else's mess can be a very stressful experience. Not only do you have to manage the physical work of sorting and discarding items, but it can also be emotionally draining.
It is important to engage in treatment for hoarding if you are cleaning out someone else's home, so the clutter and any underlying mental health issues are addressed.While creating more organization and improved living conditions is rewarding in the end, dealing with emotional hazards is a real concern that needs to be considered when tackling a clean-up job like this one.
Answering the call.
Bio-One is always ready to react to unanticipated events like death, significant accidents, and hazardous situations. In the following areas of San Diego County, we provide cleaning and restoration services:
Crime Scene Cleanup and Biohazard Decontamination
- Crime scene cleanup
- Blood and bodily fluids cleanup
- Suicide cleanup
- Homicide cleanup
- Unattended death cleanup
- Biohazard cleanup
- Feces and bodily fluids cleanup
- Mold Remediation
- Odor removal
- Virus Disinfection
- Tear gas cleanup
- Emergency vehicle decontamination
- Sewage backup cleanup
- Medical Waste disposal
Hoarding Cleaning Services
- Hoarding cleanup
- Animal hoarding cleanup
- Junk removal
- Deep cleaning
- Gross filth cleanup
- Hazardous waste removal
- Homeless encampment cleanup
Your Local Last Responder for Life's Most Difficult Situations
Bio-One is the best choice for helping and supporting victims and their families if a suicide, homicide, unattended death, crime scene, or trauma takes place. In addition to emergency services, Bio-One, a locally-owned company, also offers biohazard cleanup services for commercial and residential properties.
We understand that biohazardous material can be a great source of stress for property owners, so we work quickly and efficiently to minimize the disruption it causes.
We collaborate with local law enforcement, neighborhoods, emergency services personnel, victim support organizations, hoarding task forces, apartment complexes, insurance company carriers, and others to provide the best service possible.
Proudly Serving San Diego County & Surrounding Communities
We proudly serve the following San Diego County, CA cities and surrounding communities: Cardiff, Del Mar, Descanso, El Cajon, Encinitas, Mount Laguna, Poway, Ramona, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego, Santee, and Solana Beach, among others.
As proud members of the Poway Chamber of Commerce, our biohazard remediation and hoarding cleanup service are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Give us a call at 858-261-4527 for a free estimate!