Diabetes: Care of Blood Sugar Test Supplies
Overview
It's important to take care of your supplies so that you can test your blood sugar safely and get the most accurate results.
- Take care of your meter.
- Follow the care instructions from the manufacturer. Some meters need to be cleaned regularly and have their batteries changed now and then.
- Meters can be damaged if they're dropped or jarred or are exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures.
- Dispose of lancets properly.
Lancets must be thrown away safely after they're used.
- Put used lancets in a plastic container (such as a small, empty soda pop bottle or laundry detergent bottle). Seal it when it's three-quarters full.
- Don't put lancets into your household wastebasket or trash can. A used lancet might accidentally stick someone.
- Check with your local trash disposal agency about how to dispose of lancets. Some agencies have special ways to get rid of this waste.
- Protect your test strips from dampness and humidity.
- Don't store your test strips in the bathroom.
- Replace the lid on the strip bottle right away after you take out a strip.
Related Information
Credits
Current as of: April 13, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Rhonda O'Brien MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator
- Top of the page
Next Section:
Related Information
Previous Section:
Overview- Top of the page
Next Section:
Credits
Previous Section:
Related Information- Top of the page
Current as of: April 13, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Rhonda O'Brien MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator