Safer Injecting Advice

Correctly using clean equipment is the best way to prevent injecting related health issues. Here at BDP, we provide free clean injecting equipment and safer injecting advice via needle exchanges across Bristol. You can find your local needle exchange here.

Injecting in your veins

Thoroughly clean your hands and injection site with water and anti-bacterial wipes.

 

Layout equipment on a clean and stable surface

 

Use a new clean needle for each injection. Clean equipment is available for free from your nearest needle exchange. Find your closest needle exchange here.

 

Use the correct size needle for each injection site. If you are unsure please ask a member of staff at your needle exchange.

 

Never share any equipment – sharing puts you at risk of blood borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C

 

Rotate your injection sites. 

 

Learn how to inject yourself properly, don’t rely on information from others. 

 

Inject at a 45 degrees angle, unless groin injecting.

 

Don’t push the needle right up to the end in case it snaps off (it will be difficult to remove).

 

If injecting a new powder for the first time only inject a small amount to test the strength and effect (better to inject too little than too much if it is not the desired effect).

 

Do not use in the bath, serious danger of drowning.

 

Seek medical advice straight away if you are concerned about any injecting sites, look out for lumps, bumps, swelling, painful or redness these all could be a sign of infection and lead to complications if ignored.

 

Injecting whilst pregnant may seriously harm your unborn child.

 

Ask for advice at your local needle exchange.

Injecting below your skin

Thoroughly clean your hands and injection site with water and anti-bacterial wipes.

 

Lay equipment out on a clean stable surface.

 

Use a clean needle for each injection.

 

Use the correct size needle for each site.

 

Never share ANY equipment – sharing puts you at risk of blood borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C.

 

Rotate your sites.

 

Learn how to inject yourself properly, don’t rely on others.

 

If injecting a new powder for the first time only inject a small amount to test the strength and effect (better to inject too little than too much if it is not the desired effect).

 

Seek medical advice straight away if you are concerned about any injecting sites, look out for lumps, bumps, swelling, painful or redness these all could be a sign of infection and lead to complications if ignored.

 

Avoid injecting any tablets.

 

Do not use in the bath, serious danger of drowning.

 

Injecting whilst pregnant may seriously harm your unborn child.

 

Ask for advice at your local needle exchange.

Injecting in your muscles

Thoroughly clean your hands and injection site with water and anti-bacterial wipes.

 

Lay equipment out on a clean stable surface.

 

Use a clean needle for each injection.

 

Use the correct size needle for each site.

 

Never share ANY equipment – sharing puts you at risk of blood borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C.

 

Rotate your sites.

 

Learn how to inject yourself properly, don’t rely on others.

 

Inject at a 90-degree angle.

 

Don’t push the needle right up to the end in case it snaps off (it will be difficult to remove).

 

If injecting a new powder for the first time only inject a small amount to test the strength and effect (better to inject too little than too much if it is not the desired effect).

 

Do not use in the bath, serious danger of drowning.

 

Seek medical advice straight away if you are concerned about any injecting sites, look out for lumps, bumps, swelling, painful or redness these all could be a sign of infection and lead to complications if ignored.

 

Injecting whilst pregnant may seriously harm your unborn child.

 

Ask for advice at your local needle exchange.