Staying Safe with Needles

To pick up a needle safely:

1. Pick a hard-sided, sealable container such as a sharps container, plastic water bottle, beverage container, or detergent bottle.
   • Never discard needles in the garbage, recycling, or toilet.
2. Place the container on a flat surface, away from your feet.
3. There is very little risk in using your bare hands to pick up a needle. If you prefer, you can also use tongs, needle-nose pliers, or gloves.
4. Pick up the needle by the plunger with the needle tip facing down, away from your body, and then place it point down into the container and seal tightly.
   • Never try to recap, break, bend or snap the needle.
5. Wash your hands with hand sanitizer or if available soap and water.

To dispose of the needle, take it to your local NWHU office or check for alternate drop-off locations on the OHRDP website.

Talking to your kids about needles is important.  Children should know what to do if they find a needle or other sharp objects on the ground. You can show a picture of a needle/syringe, so they know what it looks like in case they find one.

Remind your children that many things on the ground can harm them and teach them not to touch anything that they find on the ground that might be dangerous. Teach children to always ask an adult for help if they find a needle.

A needle stick injury happens when a needle or other sharp objects, pierces or stabs a person’s skin. This injury may put a person in contact with blood or other body fluids from another person. Viruses like tetanus, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV can survive on a contaminated object for more than a week, however the risk of transmission from a needle found in the community is low (references: CCOHS: Needlestick and Sharps Injuries and best-practices-community-needle-stick-injuries.pdf (interiorhealth.ca).

It is important to follow these steps if get a needle stick injury:

1. Stay calm. The risk of infection from illnesses such as tetanus, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV is very low.
2. Let the wound bleed freely. Do not suck, rub, squeeze, or compress the wound.
3. Wash the wound with soap and water.
4. Go to the emergency department immediately. Healthcare professionals will assess and determine the need for testing and/or treatment.
5. Get tested for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other potential contaminants.
6. If a needle stick injury occurred at work, report the injury to your Occupational Health and Safety Committee and fill out the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board paperwork.