Be Sharps Smart
First published in 2017 Text copyright Š Wagga Wagga City Council Illustration copyright Š Wagga Wagga City Council ISBN 978-1-925512-11-3 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holders, unless specifically permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 as amended.
Be Sharps Smart Illustrator Sam Lindner
An initiative of Wagga Wagga City Council
It’s a fine sunny day. Needles the Echidna loves playing with his friends in the park.
“Catch!” calls Needles, throwing the ball to Lee while their parents watch on.
“What is it?”
Kora bends down to take a closer look.
“Step away. Don’t touch!” Needles holds them back.
“That’s a sharp. Don’t touch it!”
“Sharps are things with sharp ends or edges. If you touch them, they could hurt you.”
“What do we do now Needles?� the children ask in concern.
“We’ve got to be sharps smart! We have to tell a grown-up right away,” says Needles. “Mum, Mum,” calls Kora.
Needles explains, “You need to call the local council or the NSW Needle Clean-Up Hotline on 1800 633 353 right away. They will send a specially trained person to take the sharps away safely.”
Soon the trained person arrives with a sharps container. He carefully picks up the sharp using a special tool. He drops it into the container, pointy-end first. He then slowly closes the lid and safely carries the sharp away.
Weeks pass. The trees are almost bare and the ground is covered with beautiful leaves of different colours. It’s autumn!
“3...2...1. Ready or not, here I come,” shouts Needles.
Needles had just found the last of the hiding children when Lee notices something shiny. He stops and points in the direction of the garden bed. “Needles, look!�
“We need to be sharps smart!” remembers Bella. “I’ll tell a grown-up right away. They’ll call a specially trained person to make the park safe.” Bella turns to call for her Mum.
“High five, kids. Great job! I’m really proud of you all.”
See a sharp in a park You’ve gotta be smart Step back… Don’t touch Gotta shout To Mum or Dad Or anyone about Sharps in a park Gotta be ... Sharps Smart!
Needles cheers, “Now we will all be safe in the park!”
So kids, stay alert and take care. If you spot sharps in a public space tell a grown-up who can report it to your: • Local council or • Needle Clean-Up Hotline on 1800 633 353
There are other kinds of sharps that you may see: • Broken bottles • Razor blades • Lancets Tell a grown-up and they will decide what to do next.
Test your knowledge 1. Who is the main character in the book Be Sharps Smart? 2. What are sharps? 3. What do we do when we see a sharp? 4. What does a grown-up do if they see or are notified about sharps in a public space? 5. What will a specially trained person do?
BACKGROUND Wagga Wagga City Council is committed to managing sharps in its Local Government Area to safeguard the local community against needle stick injuries found in public spaces. Council undertakes educational activities and programs promoting sharps awareness and safe disposal methods. This educational resource is supported by the NSW Ministry of Health and the Murrumbidgee Local Health District. The need for this resource was identified in response to notifications of inappropriately discarded sharps within the community. Discovery of sharps disposed in bins within close proximity to sporting grounds highlighted the need for a resource targeting children and after extensive research, the writer Sharomi Dayanand employed as Council’s Environmental Health Coordinator concluded there was little information aimed at educating children in sharps awareness. The idea was proposed to the NSW Ministry of Health, who supported and funded the project through the Community Sharps Management Program Grants Scheme. The book has been collaborated on with local partners and has undergone community consultation and engagement. Wagga Wagga City Council would like to acknowledge and thank all individuals and organisations for their contributions to this book. Council acknowledges the illustrator, Sam Lindner, who produced the vibrant artwork.
Answers 1. Needles the Echidna. 2. Sharps are things with sharp ends or edges. If you touch them, they could hurt. 3. Be sharps smart. Step Back. Don’t touch. Tell a grown-up straight away. 4. Call the local Council or Needle Clean up Hotline on 1800 633 353. 5. A specially trained person will safely take the sharps away.
Wagga Wagga City Council has embarked on an innovative approach to engage, educate and help children learn about sharps. Join me and my friends as we learn what it takes to Be Sharps Smart. This book educates children to identify sharps and its dangers in open public spaces. It helps to understand the action that needs to be taken when sharps are spotted. Children learn to step back and tell an adult straight away. Adults are educated on the processes to follow should they observe or be notified of sharps in public spaces. Should you find sharps in a public space, contact your local council or the Needle Clean-Up Hotline on 1800 633 353.