We hope you'll get out and enjoy some fresh air, while helping Hamilton have stay clean and beautiful!
Here are some tips to stay safe!
- You should always wear gloves when picking litter, latex gloves or even gardening gloves offer protection from contaminants. Garbage pickers can be used to avoid even picking up garbage with your hands. You also want to wear closed toe shoes, for the same reason.
- Do not pick up needles or syringes without a sharps container and an appropriate picker tool to safely pick up the needle, do not touch it with your bare hands. If you find a needle, you can report it by contacting the City of Hamilton, Customer Contact Centre, 905-546-2489.
- Take special care if you decide to pick up litter along a roadway: Clean up one side of the road or street at a time; face traffic (is safer than having traffic coming towards your back), and wear a high-visibility safety vest or bright clothing.
- When working in an area you’re unfamiliar with, or when it’s dark out, bring your bubble! This may include family members in your household or roommates. When picking litter, stay 6 feet away from other people. If you are under the age of 14, an adult should accompany you.
- Safety for nature – don’t walk through garden or flower beds and trample someone’s hard work, or harm the plant life. Be aware when picking litter in high grass or naturalized areas – protect yourself from ticks and mosquitos by wearing pants and spraying insect repellent. Avoid areas that may contain poison ivy if you do not know what it looks like and can avoid it.
