Health Unit – Safety During Spring Clean-Up

With the spring thaw, many residents are participating in spring clean-ups in the community. Spring clean-ups are a good opportunity to get outdoors, connect with neighbours and show care for our community and for each other. The South East Health Unit (formerly the Leeds, Grenville and District Health Unit) would like to advise the public that it is important to watch out for discarded needles when doing spring cleaning.

Needles sometimes can be found in places like garbage cans or on the ground within our community. Although the risk of infection of a blood-borne virus is very low from a needle stick injury, it is best to be safe.

If you come across a needle while you clean up, follow these precautions:

• Do not pick up with your hands
• Do not put the cap back on a needle
• Do not force used needles into a container
• Do not fill a sharps container past the fill line (3/4 full)
• Do not put used needles in the garbage or recycling

Teach children not to touch needles and to tell an adult right away. Adults can safely pick up a used needle. Here’s how:

• If available, wear puncture proof gloves, if not, use thick work gloves.
• Place a sharps container on a flat surface close to you.
• If you do not have sharps container, you should use a hard plastic or glass container with a lid that you can tightly close.
• Using tongs or pliers, pick up the needle with the sharp end away from you.
• Place the needle into the container with the tip going in first.
• Close the lid to the container tightly.
• Wash your hands.

If you do not want to pick up a needle, you can call 1-800-660-5853 for more information. Residents can also report found needles to the health unit so we are aware of needles in the community: Report Needles Found in the Community - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. All used needles and syringes should be placed into a sharps container or drop box. Used needles can be dropped off at the following:

• Your local pharmacy
• Any health unit site or community needle drop box

Follow these steps if you are injured by a needle:

• Allow the wound to bleed freely
• Clean the wound well with soap and water
• Disinfect the wound (e.g., with an alcohol swab)
• Cover with a clean bandage
• Seek medical care as soon as possible

The health unit has more information on our website at Needle Disposal and Safety - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, you can call 1-800-660-5853, and follow LGLHealthunit on social media.