I've been sewing for over 70 years and like Ardiemae I have always placed the pins in a horizontal way or straight north and south. To place them on an angle seems to be a much better way. To those sewers who commented about discarding their pins and needles in the trash in a container. The containers can open up when put into a landfill. A safer way would be to obtain a container from a pharmacy, they are free. The containers are used for diabetic needles, etc and are disposed of by the pharmacy and picked up for proper disposal.
Love this site and all the helpful information it contains. Thanks.

I love and use most of the comments listed on the "comments" part of the hints and tips section. Thanks for helping all the sewers with this valuable information.