Photo: Kawartha Lakes Police
KAWARTHA LAKES-The Kawartha Lakes Police Service says a member of the community recently contacted them about finding discarded needles and asked them to make a public safety announcement.
Police Constable Dave Murtha says the police service does receive reports from members of the community about discarded needles. They have been found in different spots around town, including vacant apartments, sidewalks, parking lots, etc.. “In those instances an officer is dispatched to the scene to pick up and dispose of the needle / needles,” Murtha told Kawartha411. “Our police vehicles are equipped with “sharps” containers for our officers to use to safely dispose of needles they collect.”
Murtha is encouraging the public to telephone the police service at (705)324-5252 to report finding a needle if they are not comfortable following the instructions provided by the health unit.
There are three needle exchange outlets in the City of Kawartha Lakes. One is at the Health Unit another at the Addiction Treatment Centre in Lindsay and a third at the Remedy’s Rx on Kent.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit has prepared these instructions to ensure discarded needles are handled safely.
Safe Disposal of Found Needles
Treat all needles and crack pipes (glass stems) as contaminated.
Wear gloves (i.e. latex, rubber or leather). Gloves are meant to protect against fluid contamination, not punctures or cuts.
Use tongs, pliers or tweezers to pick up the needle. Be sure to clean and disinfect the pickup instrument afterwards.
Pick up the needle by the plastic end (syringe).
Point the needle tip away from your body. Be very careful not to poke yourself with the needle.
Put the sharps disposal container on a stable surface next to the needle. Do not hold the container in your hand while placing the needle inside.
Place the needle point down into the container. Do not force the needle into the container.
Close the container securely.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after removal of gloves.
Equipment Needed:
Gloves Sharps disposal container Hand sanitizer
Tongs/pliers/tweezers Disinfectant
Murtha also recommends you discuss this issue with your children and remind them never to touch a discarded needle.