The Christian County Health Department (CCHD) shares a reminder about the safe disposal of used needles and other sharps. The health department says used needles, syringes, and other sharp medical items should never be placed in household trash or recycling bins, as improper disposal can create serious safety risks for sanitation workers, pets, and others in the community.

The CCHD is providing residents with a safe, free, and convenient option to properly dispose of sharps. A designated drop box is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allowing residents to safely dispose of items including needles, syringes, lancets, and auto-injectors, such as EpiPens.

Residents are reminded that sharps should always be placed inside a puncture-resistant container before disposal, such as an approved sharps container. For those who do not have a sharps container, the health department says residents can stop by their office to pick one up. If a container is needed outside of regular office hours, the health department’s harm reduction vending machine also has them available around the clock.

For more information, head online to www.cchdil.org.