Housekeeping · Household sharps safety

How to contain and dispose of used sharps at home

Put used medical sharps into a designated puncture-resistant container immediately and follow local disposal rules.

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Injection needles, lancets and needles used for pets can cause puncture injuries and infection. The US FDA recommends placing them in an appropriate sharps container immediately and keeping it away from children and pets. Disposal rules differ by locality.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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Have a purpose-made, closable sharps container ready before using needles or lancets.
Immediately after use, follow the device safety instructions and place the sharp in the container. Do not bend, manually detach or routinely recap needles.
Keep the container upright and out of reach of children and pets. Never reach inside to retrieve items.
At its fill line or around three-quarters full, stop adding sharps and close it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Ask your local health service, pharmacy or waste authority where sealed containers can be accepted. FDA examples do not establish the rules in your country.
Never put loose sharps in recycling or flush them. After an accidental needle stick, seek prompt medical advice and assessment.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

Further reading

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