Plain answers
Questions people ask
Short answers about calling, cleanup, cost and who pays. If yours isn't here, call and ask.
Calling and cleanup
Who answers when I call?
The number connects you with an independent biohazard cleanup company that serves Manchester and nearby towns. It is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Is this the police or the city?
No. This is a private referral service. For an emergency, call 911. For the Manchester Police non-emergency line, call (603) 668-8711.
How soon can cleanup start?
Only after the police, and the medical examiner if involved, release the home or vehicle. After that, ask the company when they can come.
Is “bio hazard cleanup” the same as crime scene cleanup?
They overlap. Biohazard cleanup covers any blood, bodily fluids or waste. Crime scene cleanup is the same work after a crime.
Does the state pay for crime scene cleanup?
New Hampshire's Victims' Compensation Program does not list it among the costs it pays. Ask the program directly; it covers other costs such as funerals after a homicide.
Will insurance pay?
Sometimes. Homeowner, renter, landlord and auto policies differ. Call your insurer and ask before work starts.
How much will it cost?
It depends on the size of the area, what has to be removed and how long it has been. The company will look before giving you a price. See what affects the cost.
Do I have to be there?
Someone has to let the company in and agree to the work. You don't have to stay while they work.
Can businesses call?
Yes. Offices, shops and rental properties can call the same number.
Can needles or sharps be taken away?
Needle and sharps disposal is not part of this service. Ask your pharmacy or doctor how to get rid of them.
How do I check the company?
Ask about its insurance, its workers' training for blood and bodily fluids, and how it disposes of waste. Ask for the answers in writing.
If it happened today
- Call 911 first. If someone is hurt, or you have found someone who has died, call 911 before anything else.
- Leave the room as it is. Police and the medical examiner's investigator may need to see it. Close the door and keep people and pets out.
- Wait for the release. Cleanup starts only after the police, and the medical examiner if involved, say the home or car is released.
- Then call. Call (603) 555-0105 when you are ready. Nobody will rush you.
When you are ready, call
An independent cleanup company that works in the Manchester area. You decide whether to hire them.