Safety

SAFETY

SNAKE SEASON: SAFETY TIPS FOR LIVING WITH VENOMOUS SNAKES By Scott Gaertner full time, and I have seen very few carry a flashlight, and wear shoes or attention immediately. Follow these rattlesnake bites.” She continued by boots when walking after dark. guidelines if you are bitten:

We have officially entered telling us that every single snake bite • Protect yourself and get away from snake season everywhere that she had seen was, “On a man, on STAY ON THE TRAIL. the animal in the Valley of the Sun, so his hand, and he had been drinking.” The most likely place to encounter • Check out the animal’s appearance so it’s time to have the annual “snake and Her point was that they were playing a rattlesnake is in the desert, off the you can describe it, and take a picture if reptile reminder.” with the snake. Don’t be stupid. Leave trail, where they are safe to eat, sleep you can rattlesnakes and other wildlife alone… and hunt without any interruptions. A • Stay calm, sit down, try to remain This topic is particularly important this even when they are dead. rattlesnake is less likely to stay on a still, and keep the wound beneath your year, as we had heavier rains this past well-travelled hiking trail. heart winter. This means spring has provided DEAD SNAKES CAN BITE. • Remove jewelry or clothing from much more cover and food for snakes Yes, really. You should never handle a INSTALL OUTDOOR LIGHTING around the wound - you are going to in the desert, therefore conditions are venomous reptile, even after it is dead. FOR YARDS, PORCHES, AND swell a lot prime for more snake events (bites!) Reflex strikes with injected venom can SIDEWALKS. • Get to the emergency room immedithis year. I know that for most of us, occur for several hours after death, It’s easier to avoid a snake if your ately for proper medical attention rattlesnake sightings are rare. But there so see my first point and just leave it yard is clear and well-lit. If you do are 13 different species in the Phoenix alone. see a venomous reptile in your yard, This time of year, snakes are more acarea and each year over 150 people it is probably just passing through. tive in the morning and evening when report being bitten by a rattlesnake. WATCH WHERE YOU PUT YOUR However, if you are concerned about it is cooler. Unfortunately, this is also HANDS AND FEET. a dangerous animal in your yard, seek when we are most active, so this is the LEAVE WILD ANIMALS ALONE. Like all reptiles, rattlesnakes find shel- professional assistance in removing it. time to stay present and pay attention The best advice for rattlesnakes? ter and warm their bodies by sunning to your surroundings. Rattlesnakes are Avoid them. I was in a CPR class themselves on rocky outcrops or hiding WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE a part of living in the Sonoran Desert. taught by a Rural Metro firefighter a in the dark crevices of rocks, wood BITTEN BY A RATTLESNAKE. This is their home as much as it is ours, few years back and the snake subject piles and deep grass. Be aware of your Only one percent of people who are but if you treat them with the respect came up. The lead instructor said, “I surroundings, avoid putting your hands bitten by a rattlesnake die, but you they deserve and let them have their have worked here for over 12 years, and feet in these hidden spaces, always must stay calm and seek medical space, everyone will get along just fine.

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