As Earth Day is marked across Canada with community clean-ups this week, the South East Health Unit is reminding residents to be careful when doing spring cleanups.
Dr. Linna Li, Deputy Medical Officer of Health, says it’s common to find discarded needles in parks, ditches, and garbage piles during this time of year.
Dr. Li encourages people to report any found needles to the Health Unit too. This helps with planning and prevention.
David Amot, the Health Unit’s Mental Health and Substance Use Coordinator, says never touch a needle with your bare hands, and know what to do with it.
Used needles can be returned to local pharmacies, needle drop boxes, or through the Health Unit’s Smart Works program.
Dr Li says of someone is poked by a needle, they should wash the wound with soap and water, disinfect it, and seek medical care. She adds another important step.
More safety tips, drop box locations, and printable posters are available on the Health Unit’s website or by calling 1-800-660-5853.
You can listen to the complete podcast below.
Linna Li – Lee-na Lee
David Amot – Ah-mot