Previous Story
Dispose used needles properly
|
Posted on Aug 31 2000
Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez yesterday asked the community to properly dispose their used syringe or needle to protect young children and family members from the danger posed by these sharp objects.
Mr. Villagomez said people who are related to or know someone who is diabetic and dependent on insulin to sustain a normal sugar blood level must help in making sure that used syringes or “sharps” are never mixed with regular trash or garbage.
“Needles should be placed in proper “sharp” box, or a puncture resistance container, such as used coffee can that has had the lid firmly secured with packaging tape,” he said.
A flap may be cut in the lid, so the syringe and needle may be dropped in without requiring recapping. Sharps containers should also be properly labeled to warn others of the contents and kept out of the reach of children.
Once the container is full, the lid or flap should be closed and secured with packaging tape to prevent spilling. Make sure that the container is not placed with regular trash where others may unknowingly be at risk, but properly disposed for incineration.
The Commonwealth Health Center will accept sharps containers from the community for incineration and disposal at no charge. Sharps containers may be dropped off with the guards posted at the Security Guard Station located by the gate leading to the maintenance department.
