As residents take part in spring clean-up activities and celebrate Earth Day on April 22, the Southeast Health Unit is reminding the public to stay safe, especially when dealing with potentially discarded needles. While the risk of infection from a needle stick is low, the health unit advises residents never to pick up needles with bare hands or attempt to recap or force them into containers.
If you must pick up a needle, use puncture-proof gloves and tongs, and place the needle in a proper sharps container or a sealed hard plastic container. Found needles can also be reported to the health unit or safely dropped off at pharmacies, health unit offices, or needle drop boxes.
In case of a needle injury, let the wound bleed, wash it, disinfect, bandage it, and seek medical help. More information is available at the health unit’s website.
(By: Tim Baltz)