Survival guides · First Aid & Health

Handle Medical Waste

WHEN TO USE THISTreating injuries at home. Bloody dressings and needles can spread infection.

1. Gloves on

   • Disposable gloves for anything with blood or body fluids.
   • No gloves? Plastic bags over your hands.
   • Cover any cuts on your hands with waterproof bandages first.
   • Don't touch your face.

2. Bag it right away

   • Used dressings, gloves, bloody cloth → straight into a plastic bag. Never on a counter.
   • Sharps (needles, blades, broken glass) → a hard plastic bottle with a lid.

3. Seal, label, store

   • Tie it. Bag it again. Tie that.
   • Write "Medical Waste" on it.
   • A splash of bleach in the inner bag, if you have it.
   • Store outside, apart from regular trash, away from kids and animals.

4. Clean up

   • Wipe anything that touched blood: ⅓ cup bleach per gallon, leave 1 minute.
   • Gloves off, then wash hands 20 seconds with soap and water.

Sources: CDC Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Guidelines · OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards

General information to help in an emergency — not a substitute for training or professional care.