(StatePoint) Back to school can be overwhelming for students and families. With new classes, new friends and sometimes new schools, students have a lot to balance. Additionally, changing routine can be challenging for students managing health conditions, including allergies, diabetes and others that require using and safely disposing of needles, syringes, or epinephrine autoinjectors at school.
Parents and school faculty can help promote safe sharps disposal so students and staff can better focus on a happy and healthy year using the following tips and resources from SafetyIsThePoint.org.
Safe Sharps at School and at Home
For many, learning about safe medical sharps disposal starts at home. Free, educational resources help answer questions like “How do I safely dispose of medical sharps?” and “What are the disposal rules in my area?” The SafetyIsThePoint.org website features a clickable map and ZIP code finder to check local disposal regulations and find nearby disposal sites.
Resources can be used by school nurses and other staff, who can share safe sharps disposal information and show students and families how to properly dispose of used medical sharps.
Safe Sharps at School
Teachers and other faculty play an important role in educating about safe sharps disposal. Posters and fact sheets can be downloaded and printed for easy integration into lesson plans or displayed in classrooms and offices. These materials both educate about proper medical sharps disposal and raise awareness of health conditions that require the use of sharps.
For schools and districts that use social media, sample posts can be downloaded and shared online to reach students and their families. Schools can incorporate the messages and materials into newsletters.
Ensuring a Safe and Healthy School Year
Parents, teachers and other school staff play a crucial role in ensuring students are protecting and preventing themselves and others from getting hurt. Household sharps disposal rules vary by state, so it’s important to check local requirements as some prohibit disposing of sharps in household trash or recycling. Some states require sharps to be dropped off at a collection center in an approved container.
The basics about sharp disposal are as easy as knowing these three steps:
1. Place used sharps in a strong, plastic container like an empty laundry detergent or bleach bottle.
2. When the container is 75% full, seal it tightly with duct tape and label it clearly with “Do Not Recycle.”
3. Place the sealed container in regular household trash, if permitted in your area.
You can learn more about safe sharps disposal this back-to-school season and beyond at SafetyIsThePoint.org.
By arming your children, their teachers and yourself with the latest safety information, you can help make the school year a safer experience for everyone.
Photo Credit: (c) Wavebreakmedia / iStock via Getty Images Plus
