What to Do After an Unattended Death at Home

First steps

• Call 911. Police and the medical examiner will respond.
• Don't enter the room or touch anything once the authorities arrive.
• Keep pets and children out of the home.
• Ask the investigator when the property will be released.

Before the cleanup

• Don't try to clean it yourself. Bodily fluids are biohazards.
• Don't use fans or open the HVAC. That can spread odor and contaminants.
• Contact the homeowner's insurance company to ask about coverage.
• If you're out of town, arrange access with a neighbor, property manager or association.

What a professional cleanup involves

Technicians in protective gear remove contaminated materials, disinfect every affected surface and treat the odor at its source. Personal items are set aside and cleaned when possible. Biohazard waste is removed and disposed of under Florida rules.