When a loved one commits suicide it’s fair to assume that first responders will decontaminate the scene. But they don’t, creating yet another dilemma for families who are freshly traumatized by a sudden and devastating loss. Driven to remove the memory from your home as quickly as possible, your first impulse may be to clean the space yourself. But there are several reasons why you shouldn’t take on this burden.
For one, suicide cleanup is a traumatic and overwhelming experience of its own. Although you may think you can push through this task by suppressing your emotions, you’re at risk of developing PTSD and prolonging your grief. It's best to avoid the scene and leave this process to the professionals.
Additionally, you may be subject to harmful diseases if you don’t clean up the scene properly. Pathogens linger long after a surface has been scrubbed, leaving you and your family at risk of developing bloodborne infections like Hepatitis C and HIV if your cleaning process has not been thorough enough. Certified specialists in biohazard remediation are the only people qualified to perform this intensive work. Let them restore your home with the assurance that it will be sanitary.
Bio-One is here to help in this regard. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need assistance. We’re on standby 24/7, every day of the year, and are always available to answer any questions you might have.
We’re here to meet your needs, wherever you are. From the parched land of Southern Nevada to the aquamarine beaches of West Florida, Bio-One has over 80 offices located across the nation—and we continue to grow. You can find us in areas as metropolitan as Philadelphia and as pastoral as Colorado Springs. But even if you don’t live in one of these cities, our offices service multiple counties nearby. Please visit our “locations” tab on our website to find your neighborhood, and we’ll be available to assist you.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, compulsive hoarding disorder affects an estimated 2 to 6 percent of the population. That’s between 6.5 and 20 million people respectively—if you consider the latest figures from the United States Census Bureau. While inadvertently mythologized through reality television, hoarding is a serious problem that can diminish one’s quality of life and create significant safety hazards. As opposed to collectors, who invariably organize their material in a clean and organized manner, hoarders obsessively and haphazardly accumulate a myriad of items that often have no practical value. They face severe distress when confronted with the prospect of discarding these items, leading to a dangerous and unsanitary aggregation of clothes, trash, broken appliances and more.
In addition to generating mold, harboring disease and creating fire hazards, hoarding—according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America—often causes distress within the family and threatens the social development of children. While the nation’s leading psychiatrists didn’t classify hoarding as a distinct mental disorder until 2013, it’s a significant problem that many Americans face within our local communities. That’s why you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you’re thinking about contacting Bio-One to assist you or a loved one with hoarding cleanup. We will work with you to address your individual situation, especially if that includes removing extreme piles of clutter, searching for sentimental valuables, and restoring your home’s sense of safety and comfort. Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns. It can be the first step towards recovery.
Sudden and inexplicable tragedies like suicide and homicide are emotionally devastating experiences that leave trauma, property damage and unanswered questions in their wake. Our certified technicians conduct their work in a manner that is sensitive to your needs, considerate of your privacy and empathetic towards your grief. That’s why we strive to be on-site, at your side, an hour after you give us a call. We don't require payment or insurance authorization before a service because our primary concern is restoring your home quickly and courteously. Staying true to this prerogative is what makes us the most compassionate organization in the industry. Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions or concerns. We’re happy to help—day and night.
Needles and sharps can be dangerous and carry infectous fluids. If you want to know how to properly dispose of your sharps, please visit https://safeneedledisposal.org.
You SHOULD NOT be throwing needles and sharps directly into the trash. They need to be handled carefully and by a trained professional. Did you know Bio-One will pick up these items for you?
If you are a part of the medical field, dental industry, or a tattoo shop, these are all places we can pick up from! If you think you might need this, take a look at our locations page to find a Bio-One franchise close to you.
Let Your Insurance Work FOR You
August 27th, 2018 by Megan Boccardi
Did you know there is a good chance your insurance covers many of the services we provide to our clients? Services that are covered by insurance include undiscovered deaths, decompositions, suicides, homicides, blood clean ups, MRSA decontaminations, C-Diff decontaminations, some feces clean ups, some mold remediations, and more- you just have to call us and we can walk through with you step by step if insurance may cover an unfortunate or tragic event. Locations covered by insurance are not limited to homes either. We remediate vehicles where suicides have taken place, where fecal accidents have happened, where shootings have occurred, etc. Many times it is cheaper for us to come and remediate a vehicle versus totaling the vehicle and making a complete loss.
Bio-One is a Bio Recovery Company who specializes in cleaning/remediating bio-hazards. What are bio-hazards? Bio-Hazards are risks to human health or the environment arising from biological work, especially with microorganisms. Risks to human health- that statement is impactful. Many diseases are contagious and very dangerous if not dealt with appropriately and with caution such as HIV, Hepatitis viruses, TB, MRSA, C-Diff, Sepsis, and Dengue Fever. Considering diseases and viruses are becoming more and more prevalent in today's society, it is imperative that experts come in to remediate an area or areas affected by blood or bodily fluids so no bio-hazards remain to cause sickness and/or death to those who come in contact with the area(s) once they have been treated. We are the experts to properly treat that area affected, and our clients can feel safe knowing a professional, knowledgeable, and highly trained company came and took care of the situation.
Why does insurance cover most of our services? Well, the last paragraph pretty much sums it up. Health is so important and people are educating themselves on what not to do and what to do when tragedy or an accident occurs. Also, many of our jobs we are removing flooring, walls, appliances, cabinets, seats in vehicles, expensive furniture, personal items, and so much more that insurance helps pay to replace. When the job turns into a project for our client such as needing additional contractors in the now safe area to replace what we had to remove, running everything through insurance is even more economical because our client still only pays their deductible ONE time, regardless of how many contractors have to come in after us, Bio-One STC.
The greatest thing about Bio-One is we are dedicated to helping first. We are only a phone call away, day or night. If you or someone you know is dealing with something you think Bio-One can help with, give us a call. Not only are we here for our clients, but we are also here to help others even if it is just answering a few questions or providing guidance. Why feel alone and lost when we are here to help? Call us at 636-279-9570!
Bio-One is not shy or unfamiliar with making franchise lists and achievement lists. We stand out above our competitors for several reasons and people are taking notice. Being the first franchised Crime and Trauma Scene Cleaning Company, Bio-One has set precedents and has set the bar high for other like-minded companies. We as a franchise are only getting bigger and stronger- with new franchises opening up each month along with new and innovative ways to train our franchise owners and technicians along with having better technology support with our websites and marketing tools. All owners have several outlets to reach out to one another for support, ideas, and ways to grow their business; Bio-One is not just a franchise, we are a family.
Making the Inc. 5000 list in 2018 when no other companies similar to us did, just shows how strong our foundation is all the way from the founder, Nick-Anthony Zamucen, to our corporate office, to each and every single franchise office across the United States. I have never owned a business before, nor have I been a franchise expert by any means, but from the minute I started to educate myself about Bio-One back in 2016, I have been nothing short of impressed with how each branch of operations, each owner, each event Bio-One puts on, each organization Bio-One supports, has been nothing short of professional, passionate, and truly genuine. Being previous law enforcement, you could say myself and Amanda possess integrity and the desire to help others. Those qualities that make up a good civil servant, also make up a good Bio-One franchise owner. Our transition to Bio-One from law enforcement was easy because the same principals apply to us as owners that were required of us as police officers. Bio-One as a whole seeks owners with those same qualities which is why, in my opinion, Bio-One keeps making achievement lists and setting the bar higher for everyone else. The strive for excellence never ends and we can always get better; our support through corporate recognizes that and we all work together as a team to keep reaching higher.
Why should you care about any of this? Well, I will tell you. When tragedy hits your home, your family, your friends, your community, don't you want a company helping/guiding you that has proven time and time again that we know what we are doing, we are here to help, we are compassionate, we are hardworking, we are genuine, and we are the leading Crime and Trauma Scene Cleaning Company in the country? When you call a Bio-One office, you get someone who answers their phone, and that person is an owner. No call service, no limited hours of operations- 24/7/365- we are always here to help. Somehow just something as simple as an owner answering the phone and being there for their clients day and night provides comfort and nostalgic feelings- feelings of back in the day when call centers were rare, and automated systems were even more unheard of. We are here for you when you need us the most, and will continue to strive to be better- not for ourselves, but for our clients and community.
Dealing with Stress and Grief from an Undiscovered Death
We get the calls that are very difficult to make. When loved ones call us, they many times struggle to put into words why they are calling and what service of ours they are needing. Summer is here so many of the calls we get are undiscovered deaths. The heat can cause bodies to bloat quicker and cause indescribable smells that neighbors or the mailman can even detect. Family members who find out from either the police, property management, landlord, or a friend or other family member, tend to feel an overwhelming amount grief and sadness hearing their loved one was deceased alone for days, weeks, and sometimes months before being discovered. They ask themselves, how did this even happen? How did no one realize he/she was missing from society? How did I miss it?
Those are all questions that could plague anyone who lost a loved one in this manner. Getting these calls makes me more diligent myself to call loved ones who I haven't spoken to in a while. Dealing with the grief is just one aspect of dealing with an undiscovered death. The family has to call a company like us to come and remediate the home due to the bio-hazards that are now present. Many times flooring, walls, appliances, and furniture have to be removed for proper disposal. Removing flooring or any structural aspects of the residence means there needs to be replacement, and work has to be done beyond just removing the bio-hazards. The list of things to do for the loved ones seems never ending, but that is why we are here- to help and guide them through each step.
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Just recently we, Bio-One STC, received an undiscovered death where the man was deceased for more than four weeks before he was discovered. This case is a perfect example of how much damage decompositions can be to properties. Flooring, subfloor, furniture, and several other items had to be removed for proper disposal. Once all of the bio-hazards have been removed, now the family and friends are left with replacing the flooring among other things to get the home back to a habitable condition. Our client, who was like a daughter to this man, told us twice how without our help she would be lost and wouldn't have gotten nearly as much done with the propertly that she has due to our guidance. We are still in touch with her and may be providing her with other services to get the home ready for sell.
We are bio-hazard removal and remediation experts, but we also have so many more skills and resources to help those in need during these situations. Please, do not hesitate to call us, we can help!
Authors: Megan and Amanda Boccardi
The 4th of July is a holiday many people look forward to each year. It is in the summer which means people are out barbecuing, hanging out with family and friends, and celebrating the freedoms we have that we can contribute to our founders, and our military members who have fought and died for all of our everyday freedoms in multiple wars. That all being said- we as Americans take pride in being Americans and spend the day on the 4th of July observing our history, our present, and our future in this wonderful country we all call home. Two years ago Juan Castillo posted an article on The List 25 stating some fun facts about our Independence Day which I found interesting and entertaining. Read these fun facts below- they apparently are going to make you want to celebrate even more.
Fun Fact #25- According to author Kenneth C. Davis, July 2nd is the real day of Independence, but it's celebrated on the fourth because that's when congress accepted Jefferson's declaration.
Fun Fact #24- Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on a "laptop", which was a writing desk that could fit on one's lap.
Fun Fact #23- Thomas Jefferson changed the wording of the Declaration of Independence from "the pursuit of property" to "the pursuit of happiness".
Fun Fact #22- John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4th, 1826.
Fun Fact #21- Only two men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776- John Hancock and Charles Thompson.
Fun Fact #20- Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration of Independence was lost, and the one eventually signed is the "engrossed" document.
Fun Fact #19- The printed version of the Declaration was called the Dunlap Broadside; 200 were made but only 27 are accounted for.
Fun Fact #18- Congress declared July 4th as an official holiday in 1870 as part of a bill to officially recognize other holidays- Christmas being one of them.
Fun Fact #17- The Declaration of Independence was a justification for a revolt against the British which included a list of charges against the British King.
Fun Fact #16- Several counties have used the Declaration of Independence as a beacon in their own struggles for freedom. These countries include France, Greece, Poland, Russia, and many countries in South America.
Fun Fact #15- "Yankee Doodle", a popular American patriotic song, was originally sung prior to the Revolution by British military officers in mockery of the unorganized and buckskin-wearing "Yankees".
Fun Fact #14- The "Star Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key and was originally a poem stemming from his observations in 1814 concerning the British attack on Baltimore's Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It was later put to music, though not decreed the official national anthem until 1931.
Fun Fact #13- Including John Adams and Thomas Jefferson (mentioned earlier), a total of three US presidents have died on July 4th. James Monroe is the third president to share this fate.
Fun Fact #12- Conversely, America's 30th president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4th, 1872.
Fun Fact #11- In 1776, about 2.5 million people lived in the United States versus 311.7 million people in 2011.
Fun Fact #10- The average age of those who signed the Declaration of Independence was 45. The youngest at age 27, was Thomas Lynch Jr. of South Carolina. The oldest delegate was Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania at age 70. Thomas Jefferson was 33.
Fun Fact #9- One out of eight signers were educated at Harvard (7 total).
Fun Fact #8- 87.5% (2.8 million) of imported U.S. flags are from China.
Fun Fact #7- 97% ($190.7 million worth) of imported fireworks are from China.
Fun Fact #6- An estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed on July 4th.
Fun Fact #5- Both the Philippines and Rwanda celebrate July 4th as a day of liberation. In Southeast Asia, it is known as "Republic Day", and Rwandans celebrate "Liberation Day".
Fun Fact #4- The White House held its first 4th of July party in 1801.
Fun Fact #3- The tune of the National Anthem was originally used by an English drinking song called To Anacreon in Heaven.
Fun Fact #2- In 1954, the words 'under God' were added to the Pledge of Allegiance.
Fun Fact #1- The oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States is the 4th of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island; it began in 1785.
So there ya go, some fun facts about this wonderful holiday. Enjoy yourselves, be safe, and play with fireworks responsibly. Do not forget what this holiday is really about, and appreciate the freedoms and privileges we have as Americans. Happy Independence Day!
Authors: Megan and Amanda Boccardi
The Girl Scouts have always been a great foundation oriented towards teaching young girls inclusiveness, independence, service, and giving back to the community all the way back to when it was founded during WWI. So it was no surprise to me when I heard of Camp Fury STL and what it was all about. Camp Fury STL is a week long camp for high school age girl scouts; this camp is put on by amazing female first responders in the St. Louis area who teach the girls the ins and outs on being a police officer, being a paramedic, and being a firefighter. Activities include defensive tactics, investigation skills, traffic stops, firefighting skills, and EMS Skills to give the girls an insight on what it is like to be a first responder.
It was a an honor to be invited to speak to the girls yesterday at the end of their day 2 of the camp. Being previous law enforcement, Amanda and I are prime examples just like all other female first responders that girls and women can do anything they put their mind to. Being in a male dominated field (law enforcement) previously, Amanda and I are not in unfamiliar territory with our current business which is mainly owned and operated by men across the United States. Our goal last night was to leave hoping we reached even just a few girls with the inspiration that they can be whatever they want in life- as long as they work hard and never give up. There is nothing those girls cannot do as long as they have the will and the drive.
Seeing how involved our first responders are in our community made us so proud of where we live and work. These women are heroes and are truly in their positions to help others and better their community. I have never been more proud to be a woman, a previous law enforcement officer, and a female business owner. Check out the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri and donate or volunteer if you can- these girls are our future leaders taught by our current leaders from our very own community.
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