The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and the AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area (ACNBA) are offering tips for safely discarding sharps revealed by the melting snow.
“We know when the snow starts melting, there can be a lot of garbage and debris left behind, including sharps,” says Natalie Dupuis-Blanchfield, Community Health Promoter at the Health Unit. “Disposing of discarded sharps is similar to cleaning up winter garbage, but with a few extra precautions.”
Officials say the risk of contracting a blood-borne illness from a discarded sharp is extremely low, however, there are steps people can take to safely pick up and dispose of a sharp:
– Pick needles up carefully, by wearing gloves and/or using tongs.
– Stay as far away from the sharp end as possible and do not attempt to put the cap back on.
– Put the needles in a hard plastic container, like a water bottle, with the sharp end facing down.
– Seal the container tightly.
– Dispose of the container at a community sharps bin or at a local pharmacy.
Community sharps bins can be found outside the following locations throughout the district:
– Corner of Main St. and Queen St., Sturgeon Falls
– AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area (147 McIntyre St. W.)
– Community Counselling Centre of Nipissing (361 McIntyre St. E.)
– North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (345 Oak St. W.)
– Corner of Seguin St. and Gibson St., Parry Sound
“We all have a role to play in creating safer communities, but we understand not everyone will feel comfortable picking up a sharp,” says Caitlin Dobratz, Hepatitis C Community Coordinator at ACNBA.
The Health Unit is offering Safe Sharps Handling and Disposal Training online throughout April and May.
For more information visitt myhealthunit.ca/Sharps.
