Do you have diabetes and are wondering what to do with your used lancets, needles or auto-injectors? Learn how to safely dispose of used medical sharps below!
This post is sponsored by SafeNeedleDisposal.org. I have been compensated for my time. As always, all opinions are my own. #SafetyIsThePoint
With National Diabetes Awareness Month upon us, I want to share with you something that often gets overlooked as part of diabetes management. People with diabetes deal with the poking and prodding of medical sharps (i.e. – needles, lancets, etc.) on a daily basis. This daily use leads to the question of what to do with all of it after you’ve used them.
Sadly, millions of people with chronic conditions, like diabetes, who use sharps, needles, lancets or auto injectors outside of a medical facility for medical treatment often receive no guidance on how to get rid of their used sharps safely. Despite this, research shows that people who use needles and lancets to manage their medical conditions know it is their responsibility to safely dispose of used medical sharps, but lack clear, factual information on what to do. With the help of SafeNeedleDisposal.org, individuals can get accurate guidance for their area instantly.
The good news is, you probably already have everything you need at home to safely dispose of used medical sharps! First, used sharps must be placed in a strong plastic container before it is discarded. The container — which can be an empty laundry detergent or bleach bottle — should be leak-resistant, remain upright during use, and have a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid (no plastic soda bottles allowed). When the container is about 3/4 full, individuals should follow guidelines for proper disposal at SafeNeedleDisposal.org — some cities allow in-home trash disposal while others require used sharps to be taken to drop-off locations.
#ad Have diabetes & don't know what to do with your used lancets, needles or auto-injectors? Learn how to safely dispose of used medical sharps! #safetyisthepoint Share on XAccording to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, sharps that are not disposed of properly may cause injury. This can be a big safety hazard to waste management professionals. In order to minimize risk and increase awareness about recommended disposal practices, SafeNeedleDisposal.org encourages you to click on your state or enter your ZIP code to learn about local disposal regulations and options in your area. For example, in Utah it is allowable to properly dispose of medical sharps in the trash. However, there are several drop-off locations in Utah listed on their website, as well. It’s so simple to click and see how or where you can safely dispose of used medical sharps using SafeNeedleDisposal.org.
To make things even easier to understand – especially for you visual learners – SafeNeedleDisposal.org has created this simple video:
I hope this helps clear up any confusion on how to safely dispose of used medical sharps. If you know a friend, family member or coworker who is wondering about it, refer them to SafeNeedleDisposal.org. Remember, safety is the point!
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