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Post by echo on Aug 21, 2010 12:42:45 GMT -5
Am trying to help a friend who
might be reported
to the Health Department.
If they come to inspect,
what are they looking for,
what is the most important?
I don't know the condition of friends home.
Friend needs to know what is most
important to work on in case the
Health Department shows up on Monday.
Suggestions from anyone with experience with
this will be greatly appreciated.
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Post by eagle on Aug 21, 2010 12:49:28 GMT -5
It is helpful to know what country and region within that country. The health departments in different states are not all the same here in the US, so I suspect there may be differences in other countries as well.
It would also help to know if minors or pets are in the home and if the person is elderly or not, and what type of housing is involved. Single family home. Apartment. Business. Regulations tend to vary based on some variables.
Also important: Is the home licensed for any use such as for licensed day care or a hair dresser with her own private hair dressing business in the home? Without being licensed to provide a service that the Health Department regulates, they are often not interested in investigating unless there are signigicant reasons, such as the elderly, infirmed, or children or adults of diminished capacity living in unsanitary or unsafe conditions. Unsafe water sources in some counties in some states require Health Department follow-up, for example.
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Post by sidestep on Aug 21, 2010 12:58:48 GMT -5
This link may be of help:
Preparing for inspection by Social Services Welfare Child Protective Services etc. A member posted this a while ago ... Keep in mind that this is from several years ago ... and applicable to the location she lived in. Guidelines may have changed since then ... and may vary from state to state. The following is a list for a CPS inspection .... the things they want you to clean up ... if you have already been reported. Or if you're being inspected for an adoption, custody hearing, or something similar. That's NOT the same thing as a list of things you must attain to avoid being reported. There is a difference. CPS inspection list, from several years ago ... applicable to a specific state in the USA:Those are the optimum things that CPS wants to see. ------------------------------ |
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Post by echo on Aug 21, 2010 13:04:06 GMT -5
more information, that won't risk identification of the person
single family dwelling.
No children
Middle aged couple
lots of pets
can't name the location
Not in town from my impressions
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Post by sidestep on Aug 21, 2010 13:10:22 GMT -5
Landlord Info: I wrote this on another thread here so some of you will have already read this- it really pained me to write as I hate ever having to tell it like it is........and it also made me think about my attitude towards my stuff-
I never like to think that I could hurt anyone be it my squalor or my words- and please understand that I shared only because I feel it is something we could all benefit from
please excuse spelliing and lack of commas-
hugs and love from Meme
***************************this is in regards to hoarding etc and all landlords have insurance laws and bylaws re town or city to enforce - it is not always just them being mean or annoying-****************
ok- this is what we would look for- we is not me- it is a friend and hubby who are landlords for apartments
1. weight- yes- it there are piles of stuff that could cause joint damage if it is beyond the normal house hold items-also too much stuff even if it is neat - can be classified as unsafe for fire
2 piles of things that could be fire hazards-or could cause problems with putting a fire out in a timely fashion- whether it be your place where the fires started or next door
3 easy access to water shutoffs in case they need to be shut off in and emergency
and or gas valve shut offs
4 electrical out lets-- nothing piled in front of them-- they must be open for access
and also cords - are they safe
5- garbage or plants or food that can cause a bug problem
6. safe entry in case of fire
7' wide enough path ways
8- smoking- is the area safe where you or some one smokes-ss re piles of books papers etc. that could cause a fire to go unnoticed too long
9. area around stove and other appliances such as tv - are they safe or is there stuff too close-
10. cleaners in a safe area re fire
11. the dwelling must allow safe entry for firemen- gasmen and watermen- anyone who has to enter the area in or due to enmergency-
12. all rodents and or bugs of any kind must be controlled - such an attempt to remove them or noticy landlord
13- path ways should be about 3 feet wide or at least 30 inches for emergency to get through - about the same as doorways is a better way to say this
14- piles that are too high and could fall - so about 5 feet is sort a limit-
a lot these things are required by the insurance company who ever that would be- if one place is allowed to be in disaray and fire is caused the insurance can be invalid- also the person who allowed the apartment or house to become dangerous can be held or charged with manslaugher if there is death due to them not keeping home is safe keeping
they mainly look for paper piles - book piles- clothes piles and garbage piles- books are not considered as much unless they are not neat and tidy-or if they appear dirty
dust or grease is another source of fires
--I know this sounds very harsh and we think - that we are paying rent or etc. we should be able to live as we want to but when you realize that you could putting some one else's life in danger- it does make more sense- sigh-
we lost a fireman due to some one who did not have a safe house and he went in to rescue and lost his own life-
this is one of the first times I realize that hoarding and squalor really goes beyond being my life or my problem-
it does effect us all in a hidden way-
a safe distance is considered 6 inches to 3 feet- it all depends what one is considering-
I am sorry for the stress and pray that all goes well- there are other things but this is enough as it is-
yes- my friends did evict some one due to hoarding and squalor
they gave them many months notice and also offered free help to clean and store extra stuff for them- even offering a spare storage unit that someone else was not using-
sadly the tenants did leave finally due to a order of the court and left a lot of damage - it cost nearly $3000 to clean and repair for new tenants-
sometimes we live in a smell and we do not notice the smell but other folks can-
this is just an overview of my friend's job- I did not tell why I needed to know- more or less let her know I was interested and knew some of this just from what she has talked about in the past- her job is not easy either and she takes no pleasure in having to tell anyone these things- her by law they are required to inspect the apartments they care for twice a year- due to fire safey and insurance-
I hated to write this but do want you to know and have a chance to make sure things are right- it is with love that I have found this out for you and all of us- I know that you would never want to hurt anyone and sometimes we need to know things so we are safe and others-
hugs Meme who has to go as this post makes me sad to say
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Post by blossoming on Aug 21, 2010 13:11:38 GMT -5
okay. this is not re health dept but re someone reported for child endangerment. she found that having no dishes in the sink and a clean sink was the most importnat. that when they saw that, they seemed to feel that the rest of the stuff was basically okay.
if you have lots of pets, i would make sure there is no excrement on the floor and that all cat boxes, etc. are cleaned out.
i would make sure no garbage.
and i would make sure exits clear. that might be more firemarshall, but still seems good idea.
also, open windows and such to clear out air.
and,,,,,,,once hte stress of the crisis is over, attempt to use the stress to keep on the right path. good luck to both of you
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Post by success19 on Aug 21, 2010 14:43:09 GMT -5
The Waltons (one of my fave shows) would have been in big trouble with the bathroom for 8 people thing - I always imagined they had an outhouse somewhere or the males ran out into the woods or something -  . |
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Post by eagle on Aug 21, 2010 14:45:21 GMT -5
Suggest she Google "Health Department" + name of her location (state, city, county, whatever) and a pertinent word, such as squalor. That will give her more specific information for her locale.
Where I live the health department would not even visit if the complaint was not specific enough and included an at-risk person or was licensed to provide care or services as I mentioned above.
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hopehope
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,815 
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Post by hopehope on Aug 21, 2010 19:17:30 GMT -5
the thing that jumped out at me was the "lots of pets" phrase.
probably, the first thing is pet waste -- get rid of it!!
really, get rid of it. and clean whereever it was -- with serious cleaners.
and see to it there are provisions for them to dump hygienically (future reference.)
passages to walk. way to get out in a fire. clear entrances -- especially to bathroom. and out of kitchen.
throw out anything with bugs on it. or rotting.
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Aug 21, 2010 20:05:33 GMT -5
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Post by Meme on Aug 21, 2010 23:13:18 GMT -5
I sort of consider pets like children so I would keep the house etc- in similiar condition as for kids---but I am not sure how the health department would consider the pets as all areas are different---
hugs Meme who thinks if she can clean her place by Monday then she should have no problems
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escape
New Member
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 89
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Post by escape on Aug 22, 2010 3:56:39 GMT -5
In many areas the "health department" is also called the "department of sanitation" or sanitary services.
Knowing this, I'd start with least sanitary of the problems & work hardest in those areas. As mentioned, pet poo, bugs & toilets first. Then food prep & storage areas, and bedding places after that. If she gets that far & has more time, remove as much clutter from the walkways & exits as possible.
I truly hope this ends up being just a scare that helps her better her environment & not a real threat.
Bless you for loving her enough to help her get through it!
-escape
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Post by howardsgirlfriend on Aug 22, 2010 13:04:26 GMT -5
Some communities have limits as to the number and/or types of pets per home. Even if your friend is providing proper care for them, too many will still be considered too many. "Animal Services" can give you this information.
Assuming she's not over the legal limit on number/type of pets, the highest priorities should be waste (human and animal) disposal, disposal of anything decomposing, accessible fire exits, vermin control, and functional utilities. Until these issues are squared away, clutter can wait.
If your friend needs help removing "pet mess" or human waste, be sure to wear gloves and a mask, so you don't get sick.
If I were your friend, and some of my utilties weren't functioning, I'd be too embarrassed to allow outsiders to come in and remedy the situation. If this is true in your case, could you help by making the phone calls, letting repairmen/utility workers inside, etc? You and she could even pretend that you're both friends of the homeowner.
Could you rent a dumpster or a PODS unit for her? For me, it's not just the $$ that gets in the way--it's my own embarrassment and disaorganization. Maybe you could split the cost? One of the things that grinds my efforts to a halt is when the garbage can is full.
Just some random ideas that would help me, if I were in your friend's situation.
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