AS temperatures soar in the coming weeks, our cold-blooded reptile friends are becoming more active and a lot more visible.
Keeping backyard grass short, and avoiding piling up sticks and rubbish, especially items like tin sheets, which draw in heat, is imperative in the warmer months to help keep snakes at bay.
Snakes are typically found in cool, dark, protected areas such as under buildings and near sheds, around rubble and stored materials, in electrical switch boxes and long grass. It’s also not uncommon for snakes to enter unattended open vehicles.
“As we go into spring, it’s the season to brush up on your snakebite first aid knowledge and ensure all Australians are doing what they can to coexist with our slithery friends.” Australian Reptile Park head of reptiles, Daniel Rumsey, said.
About 3,000 people are bitten by snakes every year, with about 300 of them receiving antivenom and one or two bites, on average, proving fatal.
If untreated immediately, a person can die within 30 minutes depending on the amount of venom injected and the species of snake.
Mr Rumsey said bite victims must be kept calm and still, and have their whole injured limb pressure-bandaged.
Please remember:
- If you see a snake, keep calm and move yourself and anyone with you (including pets) away from the area
- Don’t attempt to capture or harm snakes. Instead call DELWP on 136 186 for further advice, or call a licensed snake catcher
- Maintain lawns and clean up around your house, as snakes are attracted to shelter such as piles of rocks and timber, sheets of metal, and building materials
- Undertake first aid training and ensure your first aid kit contains several compression bandages, and if someone is bitten, call 000 immediately
