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 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.