Sharps: What to do to Keep Yourself Safe

Posted on by Sheriff

Many of us have encountered “sharps” at some point in our lives.  We have had our blood drawn, been administered tetanus shots, or maybe even had an I.V. prior to surgery.  Those of us who are diabetics are also familiar with other sharps, which include lancets and auto-injectors.  There are many reasons that people have to legally use these sharps in home settings.

Unfortunately, illegal drug users also employ sharps.  Needles, syringes, and infusion sets that make their way onto the roadsides, parking lots, and playgrounds of our communities may come from a number of sources, and whether their original use was legal or illegal, they should all be treated with caution.

On its website (www.fda.gov), the Food and Drug Administration offers this advice on sharps disposal and what to do if you accidentally are stuck by a sharp.

Importance of Safe Sharps Disposal

Used needles and other sharps are dangerous to people and pets if not disposed of safely because they can injure people and spread infections that cause serious health conditions. The most common infections are:

  • Hepatitis B (HBV),
  • Hepatitis C (HCV), and
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Safe sharps disposal is important whether you are at home, at work, at school, traveling, or in other public places such as hotels, parks, and restaurants.

Never place loose needles and other sharps (those that are not placed in a sharps disposal container) in the household or public trash cans or recycling bins, and never flush them down the toilet. This puts trash and sewage workers, janitors, housekeepers, household members, and children at risk of being harmed.

Pet owners who use needles to give medicine to their pets should follow the same sharps disposal guidelines used for humans.

What to Do If You Are Accidently Stuck By a Used Needle or Other Sharp

If you are accidently stuck by another person’s used needle or other sharp:

  1. Wash the exposed area right away with water and soap or use a skin disinfectant (antiseptic) such as rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
  2. Seek immediate medical attention by calling your physician or local hospital.

Follow these same instructions if you get blood or other bodily fluids in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on your skin. For more information on viruses and needle-stick prevention, visit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s website.

DOs and DON’Ts of Proper Sharps Disposal

  • DO immediately place used needles and other sharps in a sharps disposal container to reduce the risk of needle sticks, cuts or punctures from loose sharps.
  • DO use an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, if possible. If an FDA-cleared container is not available, some organizations and community guidelines recommend using a heavy-duty plastic household container as an alternative.
  • DO make sure that if a household container is used, it has the basic features of a good disposal container.
  • DO carry a portable sharps disposal container for travel.
  • DO follow your community guidelines for getting rid of your sharps disposal container.
  • DO call your local trash or public health department (listed in the county and city government section of your phone book) to find out about sharps disposal programs in your area.
  • DO ask your health care provider, veterinarian, local hospital or pharmacist
    • where and how to get an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container,
    • if they can dispose of your used needles and other sharps, or
    • if they know of sharps disposal programs near you.
  • DO keep all sharps and sharps disposal containers out of reach of children and pets.
  • DO seal sharps disposal containers when disposing of them, label them properly and check your community guidelines on how to properly dispose of them.
  • DO ask your medical or prescription insurer whether they cover sharps disposal containers.
  • DO ask the manufacturer of your drug products that are used with a needle or other sharps if they provide a sharps disposal container to patients at no charge.
  • DO report a problem associated with sharps and disposal containers.
  • DON’T throw loose needles and other sharps into the trash.
  • DON’T flush needles and other sharps down the toilet.
  • DON’T put needles and other sharps in your recycling bin — they are not recyclable.
  • DON’T try to remove, bend, break, or recap needles used by another person. This can lead to accidental needle sticks, which may cause serious infections.

And remember, please call the Sheriff’s Office (255-4422) or send us a private Facebook message if you have any questions.  Generally, we advise people to carefully dispose of the needle by wearing thick gloves (preferably covered with a pair of disposable rubber gloves) and using a pair of pliers to pick up the needle, which can then be dropped inside an empty soda bottle. The cap should then be securely placed back on the bottle with the needle sealed inside. If you are not comfortable in doing this, you can mark the spot where the needle is located with a flag or some other item that clearly identifies the location. You can then call the Regional Communications Center at 255-4422 Ext. 17 or 25 and they will attempt to locate a deputy in your area who can dispose of the needle.