(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Needles Possible During Melt

Fire Chief explains what to do if a needle is found in Melfort

Apr 25, 2020 | 2:00 PM

As the snow melts, the brown grass begins to show, and the possibility of finding needles around your community rises.

Melfort Fire Chief Shaun Stewart is making sure everyone does the safe things if and when they come across a needle. He said firstly, don’t touch the needle and call City Hall if it’s during regular hours.

“Let whoever answers the phone know that you found a needle and ask for the Fire Chief,” Stewart said. “What I’ll do is I’ll come out, as long as I’m not out on a call already, I’ll come out and I’ll be able to pick up and put it into our special sharps container that we have.”

Stewart said he also wears gloves for the process.

If It’s after normal City Hall hours, Stewart said to call EMS and they will be able to help in some way or another.

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If you come across a needle and have to pick it up yourself, there are safe ways to do so as well. Stewart said to either wear gloves, or use a tissue or something between your hand and the needle.

“Pick it up around the hard plastic part in the middle where the plunger is,” he said. “And you need to put it in some sort of container that is big enough for it to go in and be able to put a cap on the top of it.”

Stewart said containers could include something like a pop bottle. Once it’s picked up and in a container, bring it to City Hall during regular hours, or to Melfort EMS and someone will be able to dispose of it properly.

If you happen to get poked by a needle, seek medical attention.

“If possible, take the needle with you so then they can have a look at it and they may be able to tell what was in it or what wasn’t it or what have you,” Stewart said. “And the medical professionals will know absolutely what to do and how to get you through it.”

Stewart added that a big reason why needles can be so dangerous is because they are a biohazard and you don’t know what was in it. He said it could be as simple as someone using it for insulin or it could be used for some sort of narcotic.

Lastly, Stewart said that searching an area for a needle is a good idea before starting to play on a soccer field or a baseball diamond, but needles can be very hard to spot.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6