YOUR HEALTHSafe Needle Handling
Found Needles & Syringes
You found a needle. Now what? Follow the steps below to find out whose responsibility it is and how to safely dispose of it.
Important: Teach children to report found needles to a trusted adult who can dispose of them safely.
Municipal Property:
- Call 519-360-1998 to speak with a customer service representative.
Private Property:
- It is the property owner's responsibility to safely dispose of the needle.
Apartment or Commercial Building:
- It is the property management's responsibility to safely dispose of the needle.
How to Safely Dispose of a Found Needle
You will need the following:
- A non-breakable, puncture-proof container (like an empty peanut butter jar or laundry detergent bottle) or sharps container
- Disposable gloves (latex, vinyl, or garden gloves)
- Tongs
- Alcohol swab
If you have been poked by a needle found in the community:
- Remain calm. Evidence shows that the risk of blood-borne infection after a needle stick injury is low when treated appropriately.
- Allow the wound to bleed freely. Do not squeeze the wound.
- Wash the area with soap and water. Do not apply alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
- Apply a bandage.
- Go to the emergency room right away for follow-up care.
It is important that you seek immediate medical attention for a needle stick injury because treatment is most beneficial when started quickly after the injury.
Community Safe Sharp Disposal Bins
Community Safe Sharp Disposal bins are large metal containers that provide 24/7 access to safe sharp disposal.
The bins look like mailboxes but are yellow and have a biohazard sign on them.
You can drop off used sharps any time at a community Safe Sharp Disposal Bin. Use the table below to find the location and address of a Safe Sharp Disposal Bin near you.
Household Needles
Most pharmacies will provide free sharps containers to their customers for disposal of needles and syringes and accept full sharps containers for disposal.
Needles can also be dropped off in rigid, puncture-proof containers on Hazardous Waste Day. For more information about Household Hazardous Waste Day contact the Municipality of Chatham-Kent at (519) 360-1998 or click here.