How can you protect your family from a biohazard spill in the home?
A lot of people believe that biohazard spills only occur in the hospital or laboratory environment. However, some circumstances can lead to bio-hazardous materials getting spilt in the home. Common types of biohazards which can spill in the house include human and animal waste from a backed up sewer or clogged toilet, human blood and body fluids from injuries, and residues from sharp objects such as glass and needles. Most waste management companies handle the general waste, which leaves homeowners unprepared to handle bio-hazardous material. The following tips should help you protect your family from this type of spill.
Protect yourself and family from exposure
When a regular spill occurs in the home, the first instinctive step that the homeowner takes is rushing to get a rug or a vacuum cleaner to wipe out the waste. However, when a biohazard spill occurs, you should prioritise protecting yourself from exposure above cleaning up the spill. Remove any contaminated clothing, and alert everyone in the home about the spill. It is also advisable to leave the house, especially if the biohazard is gaseous.
Call the waste management company
When your family is in a safe place away from the contamination, the next step will be calling the waste management company. Explain to them the exact nature of the spill and wait for their instructions on how to do the clean-up. Different types of wastes have different cleaning mechanisms. For instance, solid biohazard such as human waste should be removed using a leak-proof container. You should avoid putting this garbage in the regular skips or waste disposal bins. Liquid biohazard such as blood might need specialised equipment such as chemical treatment and autoclave treatment, which can only be provided by professionals. Sharps should also never go in the trash.
After the clean-up and disinfection
The waste management company will either come in and assist with the clean-up or refer you to someone who can help you. After the clean-up has been done, there are steps you can take to ensure that anyone who came into contact with the spill does not infect or affect others. A medical exam will help determine their contamination status. You can use measures such as isolation to protect everyone else from contacting an infection.
Never take the disposal of biohazards lightly. The same companies which handle regular waste provide remediation services. They also remove the debris in compliance with federal regulations and assure your family of maximum safety.
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