Residents reminded to dispose of trash safely after 3 sanitation worker injured in Reading, Pa.

READING, Pa. -- Authorities are reminding residents that what you throw away can have serious consequences. Concerns over hazardous materials in the trash come after at least three workers in Reading, Pennsylvania, were injured.

The video featured is from a related report.

Reading officials say that without a little help from the public, a routine job can quickly become dangerous.

"Some of their workers had been injured by stuff that was put in bags, like glass. In a couple of cases, there were hypodermic syringes and sharp objects put into trash bags," said Steve Harrity, solid waste/recycling manager, City of Reading.

If you're throwing away broken glass, don't just toss it in the trash. Authorities say it should be wrapped securely, placed in a sturdy bag, and taped shut.

"Also, it's not a bad idea to have a note on your trash bag so that they know that they're picking up something dangerous," Harrity said.

And when it comes to hazardous waste, it doesn't always belong in your regular trash.

"When the objects are sharp or they present any kind of danger of any kind, or if they're toxic or poisonous or anything like that, then there's other ways to dispose of those types of materials," Harrity said.

Those safety steps don't stop at your curb either.

"Workers collect trash at our parks and playgrounds and city buildings, so if you're throwing away stuff, take the same precautions so that everybody stays safe," Harrity said.

This also comes after a sanitation worker was injured in Wisconsin after an improperly disposed oxygen tank explosed in a garbage truck.

That incident was caught on camera.

Officials there say two men were behind the truck, preparing to add more trash when it happened.

Shrapnel hit one of the workers in the eye. Luckily, he was wearing safety goggles and only suffered minor injuries.

Officials say oxygen tanks should either be returned to a medical supplier or dropped off at a household hazardous waste facility.

6abc contributed to this post.