By Chief Sam DiGiovanna
And I’m not talking about those in the workplace…
With temperatures warming many people will be out hiking, having picnics, working in the yard or golfing. But there is a warning that goes with this time of year and this type of weather: Snakes are out! And I am not talking about those “special” people in your life or at the station!
April and May mark the beginning of rattlesnake season in California. If you have worked in the fire service here for long, you have probably encountered them at one time or another. Unless you are one of those odd people who seem to like getting startled by a rattler while digging fire line in a canyon somewhere, encountering snakes is not a pleasant experience.
Each year, an estimated 7,000–8,000 people are bitten by rattlesnakes.
Many agencies will be starting their brush compliance inspections and will be inspecting hillside properties, soon to be followed by what will likely be an active fire season, responding to wildland incidents and on strike teams. Are you ready?
There is not a better time for a quick refresher on staying safe around snakes. And why not use the same information to create a quick Public Safety Announcement (PSA) within your community? News sources are reporting that rattlesnake sightings are on the increase. Snakes are coming out of their winter hiding places and looking for food.
Practice these precautions:
- Be on the lookout when walking the hillsides, especially if you are operating loud machinery that may make it difficult to hear the signature rattle. Note: If you are wearing headphones, keep music low and practice additional caution.
- Make your home less hospitable to snakes. Yard debris, wood piles, gaps under homes, wooden decks, cement patios and open water sources (snakes feel the drought too!) can attract snakes. Remove brush piles and fill gaps as much as possible. Watch for snakes around pools and ponds.
- Keep bushes and shrubs six inches or less off the ground. This will make the snake feel less secure when hiding, so it will be more likely to move along on its way.
- Watch your feet and hands. If you lose sight of them, such as when you reach under a rock or step into a brush pile, the potential to be bitten increases.
- If you encounter a snake, do not antagonize it. Giving them space is the best approach. They will generally slither along on their own accord!
- If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, stay calm, dial 911 and seek immediate help. Lie down and keep the affected limb lower than the heart.
Sam DiGiovanna is a 35 – year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale. He also is a consultant for Cordico www.Cordico.com and Lexipol www.Lexipol.com