Safety

SAFETY

SNAKE SEASON: SAFETY TIPS FOR LIVING WITH VENOMOUS SNAKES By Scott Gaertner over 12 years, full time, and I have seen a flashlight, and wear shoes or boots stay calm and seek medical attention very few rattlesnake bites.” She contin- when walking after dark. immediately. Follow these guidelines if

We have officially entered snake ued by telling us that every single snake you are bitten: season everywhere in the bite that she had seen was, “On a man, STAY ON THE TRAIL. • Protect yourself and get away from the Valley of the Sun, so it’s time on his hand, and he had been drinking.” The most likely place to encounter a animal to have the annual “snake and reptile Her point was that they were playing rattlesnake is in the desert, off the trail, • Check the animal’s appearance so you reminder.” with the snake. Don’t be stupid. Leave where they are safe to eat, sleep and can describe it, take a picture if you can rattlesnakes and other wildlife alone… hunt without any interruptions. A rattle- • Stay calm, sit down, try to remain still, This topic is particularly important this even when they are dead. snake is less likely to stay on a well- and keep the wound beneath your heart year, as we had heavier rains this past travelled hiking trail. • Remove jewelry or clothing from winter. This means spring has provided DEAD SNAKES CAN BITE. around the wound - you are going to much more cover and food for snakes Yes, really. You should never handle a INSTALL OUTDOOR LIGHTING swell a lot in the desert, therefore conditions are venomous reptile, even after it is dead. FOR YARDS, PORCHES, AND • Get to the emergency room immediprime for more snake events (bites!) this Reflex strikes with injected venom can SIDEWALKS. ately for proper medical attention year. I know that for most of us, rattle- occur for several hours after death, so It’s easier to avoid a snake if your yard snake sightings are rare. But there are see my first point and just leave it alone. is clear and well-lit. If you do see a This time of year, snakes are more ac13 different species in the Phoenix area venomous reptile in your yard, it is tive in the morning and evening when and each year over 150 people report WATCH WHERE YOU PUT YOUR probably just passing through. However, it is cooler. Unfortunately, this is also being bitten by a rattlesnake. HANDS AND FEET. if you are concerned about a dangerous when we are most active, so this is the Like all reptiles, rattlesnakes find shelter animal in your yard, seek professional time to stay present and pay attention LEAVE WILD ANIMALS ALONE. and warm their bodies by sunning assistance in removing it. to your surroundings. Rattlesnakes are The best advice for rattlesnakes? Avoid themselves on rocky outcrops or hiding a part of living in the Sonoran Desert. them. I was in a CPR class taught by a in the dark crevices of rocks, wood piles WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE This is their home as much as it is ours, Rural Metro firefighter a few years back and deep grass. Be aware of your sur- BITTEN BY A RATTLESNAKE. but if you treat them with the respect and the snake subject came up. The lead roundings, avoid putting your hands and Only one percent of people who are they deserve and let them have their instructor said, “I have worked here for feet in these hidden spaces, always carry bitten by a rattlesnake die, but you must space, everyone will get along just fine.

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