Health Tip: Dispose of Syringes Safely

Put them in a secure container

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(HealthDay News) -- Diabetics and others who use syringes and lancets shouldn't just toss those "sharps" into the trash. They can injure and expose others to blood-borne disease.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers these safe disposal suggestions, if you don't have an approved "sharps" container:

• Dispose of the syringes or other sharp objects in a plastic jug, bottle, or container that needles can't penetrate. Collect them until the container is full, then securely seal and wrap the lid and throw it in the garbage. Make sure the container is not made of glass or another breakable material.
• Look for a container that has a small opening with a lid that can be securely tightened and closed.
• Some good containers to consider are plastic bottles of bleach, liquid laundry detergent, plastic milk jugs or coffee cans.

-- Diana Kohnle