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Disposing of needles

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.

Jam100

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hello,

I hope you're all well

I am going travelling for about 10 months and I need to reduce the amount of things I take so I'm not looking to take my sharps container boxes to dispose my needles.

Does anyone know another safe way to dispose my needles when travelling?

I appreciate all your help.

Have a fantastic day

Jamie 🙂
 
Have you got a needle clipper? Small device that removes the injection needle from the end and stores it safely. You can then dispose of the 'clipped' plastic bit in the usual trash apparently (I used to bend the 'inner' needle agains the side of the threaded bit with the outer cap). Should be able to get one on prescription.

More info here: BD Safe Clip
 
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Yes, I have a BD clipper, but bear in mind that they are not suitable for clipping lancets as the lancets are much thicker. Better to take a lancet device that does not leave any exposed sharp bits, like the Accu Chek multiclix/fastclix.
 
Hi Northerner and everydayupsanddowns,

Thank you so much for your responses.

Your suggestions are great and a very safe ways to dispose of the needles so I will look to invest in these.

Thank you again and have a great week!

Jamie 🙂
 
Needle clipper for needles, plus choose lancets that either don't leave points exposed or have caps that can cover points and look different to unused lancets.

Then, think about containers for carrying unused and used sharps - I tend to travel with several 35mm film pots and / or vitamin pill pots with childproof lids, with at least one full of unused items, and 1 empty (initially) for used ones. Usually, I can find safe places to dispose of used sharps along the way eg bins in clinics and some toilets, particularly in aiports, aeroplanes, railway stations etc.

If you're happy to reuse lancets and needles, that reduces the amount you'll have to carry. Also, remember it is possible to obtain supplies outside UK, although they won't be free like under NHS.
 
I have a 0.3L sharps bin which i use when i travel which is not too bulky unlike the normal 1L one's i use the rest of the time.
 
Hi PhilT

Thank you for your input.

Again, this is a great idea and I appreciate your help and time for responding.

Have a serene evening

Jamie 🙂
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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