The Guelph Police Service is warning the public to watch out for discarded needles and syringes after a child picked one up near a local playground.
Police say the child was playing when he found the syringe in nearby bushes. Luckily, the parents were there and the child was not harmed during the incident.
Police are reminding us to all use caution whenever a syringe is spotted and to keep these tips in mind:
- If you find a needle/syringe on public property, Stay Sharp provides site-specific needle pick up Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- To report a needle on public property, please contact: HIV/AIDS Resources and Community Health (ARCH) at 519-763-2255 ext. 151.
- You can also contact the Guelph Police at 519-824-1212 and they can safely dispose of the syringe for you.
However, if you choose to dispose of a needle yourself, here are tips on how to do it:
- Use tongs or pliers to pick needles up.
- Store the needles in a hard plastic container with a lid, such as an empty jar.
- Mark the container with the word “needle.”
- Take it to a disposal location; any pharmacy, the Municipal Hazardous Special Waste Depot, HIV/AIDS Resources & Community Health, or Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.
Agencies/Canadajournal