HOW TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF SHARPS

It may be the end of Diabetes Awareness Month but for those living with diabetes, we resume our regularly scheduled program. That includes the many pricks that help us manage diabetes and keep us healthy! But do you know what to do with all the needles, lancets, and other sharps after you use them? Those of us who use needles to manage our medical conditions know it is our responsibility to safely dispose of sharps, but we might lack clear, factual information on what we are really supposed to do. I’ve partnered with SafeNeedleDisposal.org, a website where individuals can get accurate guidance for their area instantly.

​First of all, what is a sharp? A sharp is a medical term that refers to sharp items that can cut or puncture the skin and are used to treat medical conditions. Examples include needles, lancets, syringe, auto injector, infusion set and more. Second, why does it matter how they are disposed? Well according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, sharps that are not disposed of properly may cause injury. Each state has their own rules and regulations that must be followed for proper disposal. You can visit SafeNeedleDisposal.org to easily learn more about how you should be disposing of your sharps!

​It’s easy! Check out this short, 1 minute video to learn more! You probably already have what you need at home to dispose of sharps safely! They always have to be placed in a strong plastic container. I personally use empty laundry detergent bottles. (Should be leak-resistant, remain upright during use, and have a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid.)Every time I finish up the detergent, I get happy that I have a new sharps container!  From this point, the guidelines vary from state to state and even sometimes city to city. Click here to make sure you are disposing of your sharps correctly and minimizing risk of injury!
 
Thank you to SafeNeedleDisposal.com for the clear and easy disposal instructions!