Snake Safety: Life-Saving Snake Bite Tips

If you live in an area where there are venomous snakes (such as in Central Florida), you need to know the basics of snake safety and life saving snake bite instructions. Snakes are interesting creatures; some are even rather beautiful. But they are very dangerous. Some need to be avoided completely. But if you or a loved one does come face to face with a venomous snake, you need to know precisely what to do. Here are the basics of snake safety and some life saving snake bite tips.

Firstly, you must learn to recognize the venomous snakes of your area. You can buy a book on venomous snakes or take one out from the library. If you have children, make a game of it. Learning to recognize the venomous snakes of your area can help you avoid them and easily identify them to doctors or paramedics in case you are bitten.

You should not pick up snakes of any kind. Even if you believe them to be harmless. You should wear gloves when gardening or doing yard work. You should never walk barefoot outside, but rather always wear your shoes or boots, especially at night when you cannot see what is lurking in the blades of grass.

You should never put your hands in holes or where you cannot see clearly. You or your children should never play with or scare other people with a snake, whether it is living or dead. You should turn over all trash or logs before picking them up. Likewise, you should brush off bark before sitting on a log, stump, or anything close to the ground. If a snake crawls on you or is close by, you should sit perfectly still.

You should also use caution when boating under low hanging limbs and branches.

If you suffer a snake bite, you should remain calm. Do not try to pick up or capture the snake. You should seek help immediately. You or someone else should immediately call 911 and stay on the phone with the 911 operator. Absolute identification of the snake that bit you is helpful, but not necessary.

Keep in mind that you have to go to the snake; the snake will never come to you, to bite you. Most snake bites can be completely avoided by following the few simple tips above. Be sure to practice snake safety, and memorize these life saving snake bite tips.