The Macon County Health Department is reminding residents to safely dispose of used needles and other sharps to help prevent accidental injuries and the spread of serious infections.
The health department recommends using an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container to collect used needles and other sharps. Residents can obtain a container from the Macon County Health Department.
Used sharps should be placed directly into the container immediately after use. Once the container is three-quarters full, it should be securely closed and placed in the health department’s designated drop box. Residents can then pick up another container to continue safely disposing of used sharps.
The health department warns residents not to bend, break or recap needles. They also should not attempt to remove needles without proper equipment, such as a needle clipper. These actions can lead to accidental needle sticks, which may expose someone to serious infections.
For more information about safe sharps disposal or to obtain a disposal container, contact the Macon County Health Department at 217-423-6988, option 2.
Additional guidance on proper sharps disposal is available from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safely-using-sharps-needles-and-syringes-home-work-and-travel/dos-and-donts-proper-sharps-disposal.
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