Snakes alive! How to avoid a bite fright
Spring time and sunshine signal the start of snake season – so how do you prevent a slithery encounter?
As the weather warms up, reports of people being bitten by snakes are on the rise.
In one October weekend, three Victorians were bitten within four hours. A few weeks earlier, a 12-year-old boy was rushed to hospital after being bitten by a snake near his NSW home.
When to look out for snakes
Snakes are most active during spring, and early on summer mornings and evenings, so that’s when the risk of a surprise encounter is highest.
“In south-eastern Australia, the change of season from winter to spring is the riskiest time for snake bites,” says Dr Timothy Jackson, of the Australian Venom Research Unit at the University of Melbourne.
“During winter, snakes have been bromating – similar to hibernating.
“But as the weather gets warmer they spend more time out in the open, basking in the sun. They are also hungry and looking for food and searching for mates.
“In summer, they will be most active in early morning or in the evening when it’s a little cooler.
“They may wake up, bask in the sun for a while, hunt and be done by mid-morning.”
The World Health Organisation estimates between 81,000 and 138,000 people worldwide die each year from a venomous snakebite.
Where you’ll find snakes
In Victoria, the tiger snake is the most common threat.
They are most often found in rural areas and suburbs near lakes, creeks and wetlands.
In rural areas, brown snakes are quite common.
“Anything that attracts rodents is a magnet for brown snakes – like chicken sheds, grain stores and barns with hay,” says Dr Jackson.
What to do if you see a snake
While people don’t need to be alarmed during snake season, Dr Jackson says we need to be more vigilant.
“If you come across a snake, it’s usually on its way somewhere else. Give it a wide berth and the option of escaping,” he says.
“Most times it will move away if given the chance. So don’t panic and leave it alone.”
What to do if you’re bitten by a snake
If you do or someone else gets bitten, remain calm and call an ambulance.
Use pressure immobilisation – apply a compression bandage to the bitten limb and stay as still as you can.
A doctor will decide how best to treat the bite.
- Related: Your first aid travel checklist
Top tips to stay snake safe
- Keep the area around your home tidy. “Snakes don’t like crossing open areas,” says Dr Jackson. Keep grass short and don’t have wood piles or piles of bricks and rubbish around the home.
- Wear appropriate footwear and long pants in the bush, or when walking through long grass.
- Wear gloves and long sleeves when gardening.
- Don’t let kids and pets unsupervised into areas with long grass and undergrowth.
Scared of snakes? Learn how to conquer your fears.
Written by Sarah Marinos.
