SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) More than 200 million people nationwide are expected to travel this summer. Coordinating travel itineraries can be complicated for anyone. People who rely on medical sharps, such as syringes, needles or EpiPen autoinjectors, to manage health conditions like diabetes or allergies, have the added stress of figuring out where and how to safely dispose of used sharps while traveling.

Whether someone has used medical sharps for days, years or decades, they can find resources on safe sharps disposal across the country at SafetyIsThePoint.org.

Knowing how to safely dispose of sharps at home and while traveling is as important as knowing how to use them. Improper sharps disposal contributes to the more than 850,000 needlestick injuries in the United States each year, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Needlestick injuries can expose you, your family and your community to dangerous conditions like hepatitis C and HIV.

Rules for sharps disposal vary widely by state, county and even city. While one area may allow for sharps disposal in the trash, the next town might require sharps be taken to a specified drop-off site like a pharmacy, hospital or police station. Some regions may not have any guidance, requiring people to find alternatives like sharps mail-back programs. SafetyIsThePoint.org features a ZIP code tool that checks local disposal rules, finds nearby drop-off sites and makes disposal easier.

Meet the Sharpiros

The fictitious Sharpiros rely on medical sharps to manage their diabetes and allergies and are kicking off summer with a family road trip. Follow along as they learn about local safe sharps disposal rules while traveling.

Before departing, the Sharpiros check SafetyIsThePoint.org for information about safe sharps disposal in their home location, Pincushion County, and follow three easy steps:

1. Place sharps in a sturdy plastic bottle

2. Duct tape the lid and write “DO NOT RECYCLE” on the front

3. Put the container in the trash

Having safely disposed of their sharps, the Sharpiros set out on their road trip.

Finding a Sharps Drop-Off Site

After several days of travel, the Sharpiros arrive at Pointy Peak, where they catch up with relatives and conquer the local hiking trails. Upon return to their hotel, the Sharpiros need to dispose of their used sharps before getting back on the road for the second leg of their trip. Because they checked SafetyIsThePoint.org before leaving, they know Pointy Peak doesn’t permit sharps disposal in the trash, so the family drives to a nearby hospital that doubles as a sharps drop-off site. They exchange their filled sharps container from home for an empty one and continue on their way.

Using a Sharps Mail-Back Program

The family’s next stop is Porcupine Valley, which doesn’t have any nearby drop-off sites or allow for sharps disposal in the trash, but the Sharpiros planned for this, too. They learned from SafetyIsThePoint.org that some medical device companies offer free mail-back programs for specific sharps products and ordered a mail-back kit ahead of time. They followed the instructions, sealed the container and dropped it off at the post office before heading back home.

SafetyIsThePoint.org is a Travel Essential

While the Sharpiros and their road trip are for illustrative purposes only, safe sharps disposal is real. Before you hit the road this summer, or anytime, stay up-to-date on sharps disposal rules by making SafetyIsThePoint.org one of your travel essentials.

*****