Archived Biohazard Blog Posts
Keeping The Workplace Safe
3/30/2020 (Permalink)
Keeping the Workplace Safe
Encourage your employees to...
- Practice Good Hygiene
- Stop shaking hands – use other noncontact methods of greeting
- Clean hands with sanitizer or wash their hands frequently
- Avoid touching their faces and cover coughs and sneezes
- Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails regularly
- Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning
- Be Careful with Meetings and Travel
- Use videoconferencing for meetings when possible
- When not possible, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces
- Consider adjusting or postponing large meetings or gatherings
- Assess the risks of business travel
- Handle Food Carefully
- Limit sharing food with others
- Strengthen health screenings for cafeteria staff and their close contacts
- Ensure cafeteria staff and their close contacts practice strict hygiene
- Stay Home if...
- They are feeling sick
- They have a sick family member in their home
About Coronavirus
The CDC is responding to an outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has spread to 60 locations internationally (as of this publication), including cases in the United States. The virus known as “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”) is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person or through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
We Are Cleanup and Biohazard Experts
3/23/2020 (Permalink)
About Coronavirus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to respond to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus that was first detected in China and has now spread internationally. While the virus is termed coronavirus, the sickness that results after infection has been termed COVID-19. COVID-19 has now been declared a pandemic, which is a global outbreak of a disease.
Need Specialized Cleaning Services? Call Us Today 321-953-8600
Symptoms
Illness from COVID-19 is wide ranging, from mild to severe symptoms and death. According to the CDC, symptom may appear two days to two weeks after exposure:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
It is important to consult your medical provider if you develop any severe or concerning symptoms.
Expert Level Cleaning Services
SERVPRO of South Brevard professionals are uniquely prepared during this unprecedented time to clean and disinfect your home or business according to the protocols set forth by the CDC. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.
The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:
- Kitchen/Food Areas
- Bathrooms
- Schools/Classrooms
- Offices
- Retail Spaces
- Water Fountains
- Shelving/Racks
- Sales Counters
- Carpets and Rugs
- Stair Handrails
- Elevator Cars
- Playground Equipment
- Fitness Equipment
Need Specialized Cleaning Services? Call Us Today 321-953-8600
Specialized Products
The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.
Sources:
Biohazard Cleanup and Restoration
3/23/2020 (Permalink)
Common Biohazard Scenarios
Sewage Backups
Sewage backups and dark water intrusions are more than nasty, smelly deposits – these damages also introduce harmful microorganisms into a structure. SERVPRO of West Brevard Professionals remove the sewage, contaminants, and moisture, and help ensure the structure is properly cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized.
Bloodborne Pathogens
SERVPRO of West Brevard Professionals remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, trauma, crime or death. Trained SERVPRO Franchise Professionals clean, disinfect and deodorize the structure.
Methamphetamine Labs
SERVPRO realizes many of the chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine are volatile and can leave harmful residues throughout a structure. SERVPRO of West Brevard Professionals follow federal and state guidelines to properly clean all surfaces.
24 Hour Emergency Service
Biohazard emergencies don’t always happen during regular business hours, and that’s why SERVPRO of West Brevard Professionals are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night.
Commonsense precautions to help control spread of the flu virus
3/11/2020 (Permalink)
Flu season is here, and it’s often marked by the offers of free flu shots in neighborhood pharmacies and stores across the country. SERVPRO cleaning pros—experts in cleaning and sanitizing building materials, surfaces, and contents after fire, water, or natural disasters—remind home and business owners how important it is to step-up routine cleaning efforts during this time of year. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the flu virus can remain viable on surfaces for up to 48 hours. Cleaning surfaces and objects that are frequently touched minimizes the likelihood of contacting the flu virus when you touch an infected surface.
According to the CDC, nearly 15 percent of the U.S. population suffered from the flu in 2018. More than 950,000 people were hospitalized and almost 80,000 people died from flu complications, making 2018 the most severe flu season since 2009.
“As an emergency response company, we understand the hidden danger of contaminated surfaces in a workplace or home,” said Rick Isaacson, CEO of SERVPRO Industries, LLC. “This time of year, the flu virus can be a ‘hidden danger’ at home, at work, and in the community. It is a serious illness, and we want everyone to take it seriously.”
The CDC recommends the following to help protect yourself or your loved ones from contracting the flu.
- Get vaccinated. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first and most important protection against this serious virus.
- Thoroughly wash your hands (20 seconds or more with soap and water) or sanitize them frequently throughout the day, even if you are not infected, to help protect yourself and others.
- Beware of frequently touched surfaces, like handrails and doorknobs. Keep them clean at home using a bleach and water solution and clean your hands as soon as possible if you must touch them in public.
If you or a family member comes down with the flu despite these precautions, keep in mind the flu spreads primarily through droplets from a sick person when they cough, sneeze, or talk. With that in mind, the CDC offers the following guidelines to help control the spread of the disease:
- Stay home and keep your distance. Infected droplets from a sick person’s nose or mouth can travel up to six feet and land in the noses and mouths of people nearby, exposing them to the illness.
- Wait until you are fever free – without medications – for at least 24 hours before returning to school, work, or normal activities.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, your sleeve, or your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the tissue and clean your hands with soap or a sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol.
There is no such thing as a foolproof flu protection plan, says Isaacson, but frequent hand-washing and conscientious cleaning practices at home, work, and in the community are precautions everyone can practice to help keep them and their loved ones healthy. For more flu statistics and tips on how to help prevent the spread of the flu virus, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu.
Why Professionals Should Handle Sewage Cleanup
8/15/2016 (Permalink)
If you suffer from flooding or a broken pipe in your home, the result could be the release of sewage. While any type of water damage in dangerous to your home and your health, the release of sewage is even more dangerous requiring immediate action. With the existence of unsanitary water in your home comes the possibility of the contracting bacteria and viruses that could result in serious illness. If this is a problem in your home, professionals should be called to handle the situation as they have the special training and equipment necessary to clean that type of contamination.
Types of Contaminated Water
There are three types of contaminated water that may exist as a result of water damage; category one, category two, and category three.
Category One – Clean Water
Category one, known as clean water, is water damage resulting from water that comes from a clean source such as a broken clean water supply line or a faucet. If this type of water damage is left untreated, it has the potential to turn into the more dangerous categories of two or three. The factors that must be taken into account as it pertains to the severity of the water damage includes time, temperature, and whether it has come into contact with contaminants.
Category Two – Gray Water
Category two, known as gray water, is water damage that has a large amount of contamination. This type of water damage has the possibility of causing discomfort or illness should it be ingested. Sources that could release gray water include washing machine overflow, toilet overflow with some urine but no feces, and dishwasher overflow.
Category Three – Black Water
Category three, known as black water, is very unsanitary with the potential to cause severe illness or death if it’s ingested. Any contact with this type of contaminated water should be avoided at all costs. Sources of this type of water include flooding from rivers or streams, water that comes from beyond the toilet trap, toilet overflow with feces, and standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.
Depending on what type of water damage you have, the water could range from relatively harmless to extremely dangerous. To ensure that you remain safe regardless of what type of water damage you have, it’s important to hire professionals to handle the cleanup and restoration. The following are some reasons why only professionals should handle the cleanup of sewage.
Safety
Safety should always be the top priority when dealing with dangerous materials such as sewage. To avoid potential safety problems, you should never deal with sewage yourself but call professionals to perform the cleanup. Raw sewage has the potential to produce and spread a variety of dangerous germs and bacteria that could create illness and, if serious enough, potentially death. Those who are pregnant, elderly, or have a weakened immune system are more susceptible to these viruses.
Professionals have the training and experience to follow the appropriate safety protocols to ensure a safe and proper cleanup. This involves the wearing of protective gear that is specifically designed to protect from diseases such as those potentially spread by raw sewage.
Quick Cleanup
When dealing with sewage, it’s important to have it cleaned up as soon as possible because the longer that you allow sewage to remain, the worse it will get. Relatively clean water can turn into a hazard in little time. Seemingly harmless water damage can turn into a serious problem in as soon as 12 to 24 hours. Most people don’t have the time or capability to clean up water damage in that short period of time. A professional crew can arrive in a few hours to begin the cleanup.
Additional Problems
While a water damage or sewage cleanup does involve cleaning up dirt and waste, it’s more than that. The cleanup could also involve cleaning up mold biohazard and broken plumbing or a septic tank. Most people don’t know how to clean up these things but professionals do. They also will be able to inform you on which of your possessions are able to be safely cleaned or restored.
Due to its ability to get significantly worse in a short period of time, water damage should be cleaned up quickly. That’s even more so if raw sewage is involved through flooding or a broken pipe. For the safety of you and your family, it’s important to leave the cleanup of sewage to professionals that are specifically trained for such occasions. If you have a release of sewage in your home, call on the trusted professionals at SERVPRO to restore your home.
24/7 Emergency Service
