
Septic tanks are often the forgotten heroes of the home. They quietly and efficiently take care of the wastewater without any fuss. But sometimes, they make the news for all the wrong reasons. Do you remember a family in Pennsylvania who suffered a tragedy when their loved one fell into a septic tank?
Dirt Werx LLC will discuss some rescue tips if you’re unlucky enough to find yourself in this situation!
1. Call for Help
Septic tanks are dangerous and can cause severe injury or even death if someone falls in. They contain bacteria and other hazardous substances that can cause severe illness or death. Call 911 immediately and wait for trained professionals to arrive before doing anything else. They have the expertise, tools, and equipment for any rescue mission.
2. Don’t Try to Rescue the Victim Yourself If You Are Not Well-Trained
It can be tempting to try and rescue a loved one who has fallen into a septic tank yourself, but it’s important to remember that this is a dangerous thing to do. It’s recommended to wait for trained professionals to arrive so the rescue can be carried out safely. Meanwhile, try to stay calm and reassure the victim that help is on the way.
3. Use a Ladder
If the situation is too critical to wait for help, use a ladder and position it safely inside the tank to climb down and rescue your loved one yourself. But be very careful! Septic tanks can be dangerous places, and you could easily injure yourself. Only attempt this if you’re sure it’s safe.
3. Call the Fire Department
You’ll need to call the fire department if there’s no ladder or you can’t get one into position. They have the equipment and the training to rescue people from all sorts of situations, including septic tanks.
4. Safety Tips for Rescuing the Victim
- If you must enter the septic tank, wear protective clothing, including gloves, a face mask, and eye protection.
- Never let children or pets near a tank. Keep them well away from the area until the rescue is complete.
- Do not attempt to move or cover the septic tank opening. It could make the situation worse and put the victim at risk.
- Once your loved one is out, they’ll need medical attention as soon as possible. There’s a risk of injury or infection, so it’s essential to get them checked out by a doctor.
Preventing Septic Tank Accidents with Proper Inspection and Maintenance
To avoid accidents related to septic tank, conduct regular inspections and maintain them routinely. At Dirt Werx LLC, we help homeowners across the Lehigh Valley, including areas like Nazareth, Easton, and Allentown—stay ahead of costly and dangerous septic issues. So if you just moved into an older home, or it’s been years since your last tank inspection, don’t wait for something to go wrong. Our team provides septic tank safety inspections, routine pumping services, and leak detection solutions that are designed to catch small problems before they become emergencies. Planning to buy a property with an existing system? We provide real estate septic inspections to verify that everything complies with regulations and functions safely.
If you need septic tank inspection anywhere in Eastern Pennsylvania, or want to learn more about preventing septic system failures, reach out to Dirt Werx for a free quote today.
Ending Note
Septic tanks are dangerous places and should be treated with caution. If someone falls into one, don’t panic, but please remember the above tips.
Dirt Werx LLC serving Nazareth, PA, would like to remind all homeowners to have their septic tanks inspected and pumped regularly to avoid such tragedies.
Please contact us today if you need proper installation or maintenance of your septic tank or to get a free estimate.

