Kamloops father cautioning parents after son was pricked by used needle

Landon was exploring with his step-brothers when they came across something odd.

“We found some needles, so we went to go away from them, and then we saw a bag with candy and needles in it,” Landon said.

Knowing the needles were a potential hazard the boys decided to remove them from the area.

“So we tied up the bag and ran back home,” Landon said, “and as we were coming back home I got pricked in the leg with one of the needles.”

Landon’s father was out looking for the boys when he received word that Landon had been poked by a needle.

“I came back just as quick as I could,” Arlitt said. “Of course I washed his leg with soap and water, and rushed him to the hospital and went from there.”

Landon was given a tetanus shot and had blood taken for analysis. He will require follow-up blood work over the next two months.

“The interesting thing here is it’s very rare for kids to get poked,” Arlitt said. “It’s usually adults that work in the industry that are picking up the needles, so the doctor had to phone the Centre for Disease Control in Vancouver in regards to whether to give him the prophylactic shot.”

While Arlitt waits for more information, he’s asking other parents to be vigilant in teaching their children about what to do when they come across needles.

“All the snow and needles are showing up now, and this is spring break now, this is a big concern,” he said. “I think parents really need to be aware, I mean we don’t always know where our kids are at all times.”

Arlitt hopes city bylaw officers will prioritize the cleanup of needles now that the snow has melted.

As for Landon, he’s learned a valuable lesson.

“Just not to go near needles, and just to stay away from anything like that,” Landon said. “Don’t go away from where you’re supposed to go, and just go tell a parent if you see anything bad.”

by Jill Sperling

Kamloops father cautioning parents after son was pricked by used needle

Our Community