Disposing Sharps Safely - A Necessity

First, let’s know a little about Sharps. Sharps is a collective medical term used for pointing or sharp objects that can easily cut the skin. They are most primarily use in Hospitals or clinics for treatment purposes but are nowadays used at home or work or while travelling also for treating medical conditions of people or pets like allergies, diabetes, arthritis, and many more. It can harm you or your children or pets if these used objects or sharps are not discarded properly. It is necessary to use correct practices for these medical sharps disposal. The most common being needles, syringes, lancets, auto-injectors, etc.

Safe Sharps Disposal - Significance

The used needles and sharps should be disposed of properly, because they are dangerous to people and pets as they may injure your loved ones and spread infections that can be fatal like, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, etc. Safe disposal is important whether you are anywhere, school, home, work or any other public place.

Losing needles and other sharps in household trash or recycle bins, may put sewage workers, janitors, housekeepers, children and everyone in reach of it, at risk of getting injured or harm. Everyone should follow the same procedure of disposing of sharps that have been used on anyone, be it persons or pets.

Medical Sharps Disposal

The sharps already used should be disposed of immediately using a sharps disposal container. Many sharps disposal containers are available with pharmacies, health care providers and online. The containers are FDA cleared and puncture and leak-resistant with a tight-fitting lid. In case these containers are not available, then you can use a strong and durable plastic container like laundry detergent container.

Accidentally Hurt by a Used Needle or Sharp?

In case you accidentally get hurt by someone else’s used needle or sharp, you should wash the area immediately with soap and use a skin antiseptic. Once done, call your physician or a local hospital for prompt medical assistance.

Final Consideration

Medical sharps or needles should not be left unattended and in reach of children or pets as it may harm them severely. If you have used sharps at home, then it should be disposed of properly as it can seriously injure or hurt someone and can cause infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, etc. Proper procedures and correct practices should be followed for disposal of medical sharps, needles and other pointed objects.