What is the recommended method for safely removing a tick that is attached to a person?

Using a pair of tweezers is the recommended method for safely removing a tick that is attached to a person's skin. This approach allows for a precise grip close to the skin, which is crucial in avoiding the tick's mouthparts from breaking off and remaining embedded in the skin. When using tweezers, it is important to grasp the tick firmly but gently, pulling upward with a steady motion. This technique minimizes the risk of squeezing the tick's body, which can cause the tick to release its saliva and potentially increase the risk of disease transmission.

Other methods, such as using scissors or a credit card, are not ideal because they can cause more trauma to the tick or the skin itself and may not effectively remove the entire tick. Using fingers, even with gloves, lacks the necessary grip and control needed to safely remove the tick, plus it poses a risk of contact with bodily fluids. Therefore, tweezers provide the best combination of control and safety for both the individual and the person performing the tick removal.