Proper Disposal of Household Prescriptions and Over-the-Counter Drugs

Do NOT flush or pour unwanted, unused or expired medications down the drain.

This includes expired and unused prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs.

Why Not Flush?

• Flushed medications can get into our lakes, rivers and streams
• Fish and other aquatic wildlife are being adversely affected
• Drug-resistant bacteria might develop

How to Dispose Of Drugs Safely:

The following guidelines are for households and individual consumers only

Where available, take your medications to a local collection event.
Contact your local pharmacy, recycling coordinator, or municipality to find out if there is a household hazardous waste collection* near you. While waiting for a collection event, keep all medications in a safe, secure place in your home out of reach of children.

Important information regarding controlled substances:
To guard against unauthorized use of controlled substance medications, the NYS Department of Health must approve events that collect these substances. Before you take controlled substances to a collection event check with the event organizers to see if they are authorized to accept them.

If there is no collection event in your area, dispose of drugs in your household trash.

Before placing in the trash, follow these steps:

To avoid accidental or intentional misuse of drugs, treat medications (liquids and pills) by adding water and then salt, ashes, dirt, cat litter, coffee grounds, or another undesirable substance. Hide all medications in an outer container, such as sealable bag, box or plastic tub to prevent discovery and removal from the trash. Seal the container with strong tape. Dispose of drugs as close to your trash collection day as possible to avoid misuse and/or misdirection. Do not conceal discarded drugs in food to prevent consumption by scavenging humans, pets or wildlife.          .

Note: Be careful in handling medications. Some drugs can cause harm if handled by people other than those to whom they were prescribed. Also, avoid crushing pills as some medications can be harmful in powder form.

Medications self-administered by injection with a needle or "sharp" may be disposed of in the trash.

If such medications include an attached needle, they should be placed in a puncture proof container, sealed with tape and labeled as "sharps." However, the state strongly recommends that medications with attached needles be disposed of at hospital-based household sharps collection programs. All hospitals in New York State (except for federal facilities) are required to collect sharps from households.

For more information visit the Department of Environmental Conservation @ www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/45083.html

Disclaimer This newsletter is not intending to prescribe medications or treatment, and is offered strictly as general information.  The reader should first seek advice from their physician before pursuing any suggestions.

Stopping the Spread of Germs at Home, Work & School                                                            from the CDC

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.

When washing hands with soap and water:

• Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
• Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
• Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend!
• Rinse hands well under running water
• Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet

Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.

When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

• Apply product to the palm of one hand
• Rub hands together
• Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.

When should you wash your hands?

• Before preparing or eating food
• After going to the bathroom
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
• Before and after tending to someone who is sick
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After handling an animal or animal waste
• After handling garbage
• Before and after treating a cut or wound

Visit the web site at: www.cdc.gov

Who Should Get A Flu Shot?     from the CDC

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by ACIP that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, ACIP makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.

People who should get vaccinated each year are:

• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

                  a.   Health care workers
                  b.   Household contacts of persons at high risk for

                       complications from the flu
                  c.   Household contacts and out of home caregivers of

                    children less than 6 months of age (these children are  

                    too young to be vaccinated)

For more information visit:  www.cdc.gov

..."Top Safe Shopping Tips for Toys" continued

For toys recalled for excessive amounts of lead visit the Otsego County Department of Health at:                .     www.otsegocounty.com/depts/doh

Christmas Tree Fire Hazards

Water That Tree!   from the U.S. Fire Administration

What's a holiday party or even the traditional Christmas morning scene itself without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household, as those of more than 33 million other American homes, includes a natural tree in its festivities, take to heart the sales person's suggestion—"Keep the tree watered." That's good advice and not just to create a fragrant indoor winter wonderland atmosphere. Christmas trees account for 200 fires annually, resulting in 6 deaths, 25 injuries and more than $6 million in property damage. Typically shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. Dry and neglected trees can be.

Visit the web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov

UPCOMING HEALTH EVENTS

Immunization Clinics:  You must pre-register prior to the clinic date. Call 547-4230. Children receiving immunizations must bring shot records.

 All immunization clinics are 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

• Dec 01          Oneonta Clinic
• Dec 08          Cooperstown
• Dec 15          Oneonta Clinic
• Dec 22          Cooperstown

Blood Pressure Clinics:

• Dec 01        11:30-12:30   Cherry Valley Senior Meal Site
• Dec 02        11:00-12:00   Richfield Springs Vets Club
• Dec  16        2:30-3:30  Nader Towers Wellness Center
• Dec 16         11:00-12:00   Elm Park Church Senior Meals
• Dec 17           11:00-12:00 New Lisbon Senior Meals

Flu Clinics:

You must pre-register prior to the clinic date. Call 547-4230.

 All immunization clinics are 1:00 to 3:00 pm.  $20.00-flu, $40:00 pneumonia, show your Medicare Part B card and we will bill Medicare)

• Dec 01          Oneonta Clinic
• Dec 08          Cooperstown
• Dec 15          Oneonta Clinic
• Dec 22          Cooperstown

Otsego County Department of Health

140 County Highway 33 W, Suite 3

Cooperstown, NY  13326

(607) 547-4230

FAX (607) 547-4385

http://www.otsegocounty.com/depts/doh/

                       Co-Editors: Peggy Benjamin RN, Eileen Sinnott

If you would like to receive this newsletter via email, send your request to sinnotte@otsegocounty.com