What Is Considered Unsanitary Living Conditions
You have heard the word "unsanitary" many times in your life. People often call dirty public restrooms and laundry that has been piling up for a while "unsanitary." But the point to ponder is where the thin line is between dirty and unsafe, unsanitary and unlivable. What is considered unsanitary living conditions? When unsanitary living conditions make a place unlivable? What necessary steps should you take in such a situation?
As per the definition of unsanitary living conditions, it is the physical situation of the home and the circumstances that make a living place contaminated with dirt or filth, which can easily cause injury or health problems to any person living in the home. In many cases, you can tell that a place isn't clean when there's a bad smell. But sometimes, it's not just about what you can smell. Having dirty carpets and a lot of mess doesn't always mean the place is impossible to live in. There are times when it's more than just the surface appearance, and you might need to look deeper to understand the condition of the place. Let's understand the topic and know more about it.
What Is Considered Unsanitary Living Conditions?
The definition of an unsanitary living condition can differ depending on the state or county. Generally, it encompasses various factors, such as cleanliness and hygiene standards, which may vary from place to place. Some examples of what could be considered unsanitary living conditions include, though are not restricted to:
● living place with garbage accumulation and filth
● floors, ceilings, and/or sidewalls have poor maintenance
● Excessive human or animal waste
● infestations of vermin and/or insects
● improper functioning of utilities like electricity, gas, or water.
● The home has broken appliances or machines like furnaces and stoves.
● Building construction is improper.
If your home has all these unsanitary living conditions or even one of them, then it means your house is unsafe or uninhabitable. Sometimes, your own piled-up clutter or mold causes hindrances, even when accessing doorways.
However, unsanitary and uninhabitable conditions can overlap. For example, a house with a broken furnace in winter might be uninhabitable but not unsanitary. Conversely, a poorly maintained roof or foundation can create openings for mildew, rodents, and insects, making the home both unsafe and uninhabitable. Your health and safety are paramount, so avoid living in such conditions. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable at home with such unsanitary living conditions, seek help promptly.
Are You Responsible For Developing Unsanitary Living Conditions?
There are many issues that make a place unsanitary or unlivable, but sometimes the main culprits are we ourselves. There are many things that are under our control, like keeping cleanliness, repairing the appliances, etc. Some of our actions also make our residence unsafe or unsanitary, like hoarding useless stuff. Television shows like Hoarders and Hoarding: Buried Alive have shed light on the issue of hoarding, bringing it to the forefront of public awareness. According to a report by The Cleveland Clinic, it's believed that between 2% to 6% of people in the United States grapple with hoarding disorder, a condition that can have profound impacts on individuals and their families' lives. Hoarders can hoard anything; they can easily believe or consider some useless thing as the most worthy one, just like any kind of paper, e.g., newspapers, utility papers, and magazines. Moreover, some hoard clothing or containers, tin cans, or boxes. Despite all these materials, there are few humans who love to keep living things like animals, and more drastically, some preserve waste materials or trash like humans' and animals' waste.
The issue escalates into a serious concern when belongings start encroaching on living spaces, making them unsafe to inhabit. A clear indicator of hoarding emerges when objects obstruct doorways, exits, showers, kitchen appliances, or even toilets, impeding regular usage. Instead of addressing the clutter by relocating or discarding items, individuals with hoarding tendencies adjust their behaviors to accommodate the growing accumulation.
How To Report Unsanitary Living Conditions
Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions aren't good for anyone, so whether it's you, your loved one, or a neighbor living in such a situation as hoarding cleanup, mold cleanup, repairing appliances, wires, pipes, and home, you have to take action. Moreover, you also need to report it. This will benefit both of you and also the people around them. Just imagine your neighbor's home has a pest infestation or rodents; in that case, as they are easy to spread, they will soon come to your house as well.
To start, inform the landlord about the health concerns on the property. Landlords usually act quickly to resolve such issues. If there's no landlord or they don't act, reach out to the local health department. Familiarize yourself with tenant laws before lodging a complaint, as they often require notifying the landlord and allowing time for fixes based on local or state regulations. For filing a complaint, you need to provide the whole information, like
● complaint with your name
● add up your home address
● exact address of the affected home or property
● tell the exact issue and its starting time or the complete timeline of it.
When hoarding occurs, it's easy for unsanitary conditions to become hazardous. Whether you rent or own, prioritize prompt repairs and maintenance to avoid health and safety risks. If excessive possessions make your home unsafe, consider seeking advice from a local mental health professional.
Who Will Make Your House Livable Again?
A livable place is everyone's need, and for that, 911 Bio & Trauma Cleaners is here for your ultimate help. We are a professional homicide and natural death cleanup company that has been working for the past 15 years and serving the nation diligently in their needed times.
The cleaning process always has health and safety hazards; we never compromise your safety and your property. We aren't only a professional cleanup company; our team is equipped with OSHA-approved tools, equipment, and protection and safety gear.
Our skilled technicians are equipped with proper safety gear to handle all types of junk materials during cleaning, ensuring protection from hazardous exposure. We adhere to strict protocols, disinfecting and removing biohazardous materials in accordance with regulations at all levels of government. 911 Bio & Trauma Cleaners’ thorough process not only eliminates biological materials and odors but also ensures surfaces are free of pathogens. We prioritize your health, safety, and emotional well-being. With care and affection, we restore your home to its lively state. Available round-the-clock, we're here to remove clutter, clean your home, and address any questions you may have.