Watch Where You Walk! Snakebite Season Is Here

With summertime around the corner, many of us will be spending more time outdoors, taking advantage of the many activities, hiking and biking trails and parks that Northern California has to offer. But while we are enjoying our time outside, the warm weather will also encourage rattlesnakes to come out.

So watch where you walk to avoid these snakes and to stay safe!

“Knowing a few simple tips to avoid being bitten is the best prevention, ” said Ken Kehmna, Fire Chief of the Santa Clara County Fire Department

Keeping an eye out for rattlesnakes should be part of everyone’s outdoor routine when taking to the hills and open spaces. About 7,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S. annually, according to the Santa Clara emergency officials.

“Keeping calm, providing simple first aid, and calling 911 will help the paramedics and firefighters treat the bite once they arrive on the scene” said Eric Rudnick, EMS Medical Director with the Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services System. “The most important therapy is simply keeping calm and keeping your distance from the snake.”

Following a few simple tips can help you lower your chances of experiencing a snakebite.

Safety Tips:

• If you see a snake, stop and keep your distance. Give the snake plenty of room to get away.

• When hiking, wear heavy boots that are four inches above the ankle, and long pants.

• In hot weather, snakes seek cool areas. Always watch where you step and be sure to look for snakes in areas of high brush, under logs and when stepping over logs, or fallen trees.

• In cool weather, snakes seek warmer areas. Be observant for snakes sunning on rocks or trails, especially during the cooler times of day.

• NEVER try to touch a snake or scare it away; give the snake space and back away to a safe place.

• Tell a ranger or park staff if you see a snake, and NEVER try to catch it.

In the rare case of being bitten by a snake, remember these steps:

• Do not panic, remain calm, and slowly move away from the snake.

• Call 9-1-1 or send someone for help.

• DO NOT apply a cold pack, tourniquet, cut the bite, or attempt to suck out venom.

• Avoid movement of the area that was bitten.

• Keep the bite at or below heart level.

• Do not attempt to kill or catch the snake. Do try to remember what the snake looked like.

• If possible, take note of the time the bite occurred.

• Remember to remain calm and wait for help to arrive

--Morguefile image

Also on Patch:

• Person Thought to Be Missing Peninsula Man Wasn’t
• BART is Hiring: Electrician, Accounting, Administrative Analysts
• Victim of Glen Ellen Excavation Accident Identified
• Did BART Staff Violate Conduct Code In Senate Race?
• Sonoma Co. Woman Gets 16 Years For Human Trafficking, Child Porn
• Lawsuit Filed Against SJSU In Last Year’s Death Of 18 Year Old At Dorm
• Gilroy Mourns Loss Of ‘Very, Very Well-Loved’ Natalia Salcido
• Concord Man Awaiting Trial On Arson, Hate Crimes In Church Fire
• BREAKING: Crash Kills Four, Injures Another In Gilroy

Subscribe via email to Patch Alerts and our Daily Newsletter, and stay in touch with your community and the Patch California regional network. Find your communities of interest in one of the several regions served by Patch in California.

DIXON | NAPA VALLEY| ROHNERT PARK-COTATI| SONOMA VALLEY|HEALDSBURG|PETALUMA| SUISUN CITY | BENICIA| DAVIS|

| FAIR OAKS-CARMICHAEL| ELK GROVE| ROSEVILLE| ROSEMONT| CITRUS HEIGHTS|DAVIS|

| CAPITOLA-SOQUEL| SANTA CRUZ| SCOTTS VALLEY| WATSONVILLE|

CAMPBELL | CUPERTINO| GILROY| LOS GATOS| LOS ALTOS| MILPITAS| MOUNTAIN VIEW | PALO ALTO| SARATOGA|

| CONCORD| LAMORINDA| MARTINEZ| PLEASANT HILL| WALNUT CREEK|BENICIA|DIXON | SUISUN CITY |