Snake Safety for The Moreton Bay Region
Already some snake reports in Queensland began back in August, while late september this will ramp up as temperatures soar to the mid 30’s more often then not.
Now is the time to be vigilant in our own backyards and homes throughout the Moreton Bay Region.
Also a lack of rain is luring snakes to water bowls and warned pet owners to be vigilant.
Snakes don’t go out to harm humans, but if you get in their path or startle them, they will bite and it can be fatal
The most precious gift for most families are the children. It is true although children know no fear, they are also unaware of the dangers that surround them even in safe and familiar suburbia
With warmer weather onset earlier and likely to be longer lasting due to hotter temperatures and more damaging storms.Snakes do need to keep cool with these events and gardens rockeries and other shaded places snakes will frequent, in some local cases even home ceilings have been home to large and rather dangerous snakes so far this year.
So the key is to remain safe and wise with our surroundings.
QAS advises the most common mistake was people thinking they had to capture the snake for paramedics.
Don’t try and capture it, kill it or go after it to see what it looks like. We treat them all the same — we treat them all venomously until proven otherwise
Remember all Australian native wildlife is protected under the CONSERVATION ACT 1992
Snake Catchers in the Moreton Bay Region include :
Snake Catcher Moreton Bay Pete Brabrook 0455 892 888 http://www.snakecatchermoretonbay.com.au/
QAS senior operations supervisor Rita Kelly said the most common mistake was people thinking they had to capture the snake for paramedics.
“Don’t try and capture it, kill it or go after it to see what it looks like. We treat them all the same — we treat them all venomously until proven otherwise
Paramedics have attended 493 snake bite cases so far this year, a 6 per cent increase from the same time frame in 2016.
There were 27 snake bite incidents in August, according to Queensland Ambulance.
Between 2014 and 2015 Brisbane reported 653 snake bite incidents, as snake activity increases things the public should remember to remain safe out there include:
Avoid walking through long grass, but if you have to, wear sturdy enclosed shoes and long pants.
Carry a good quality compression bandage.
Never try to catch or kill a snake.
When camping, ensure the campsite is well lit at night.
Take care when moving timber or iron sheeting and other outdoor building materials.
If you see a snake inside, get all humans and pets out of the room, shut the door, fill the gap underneath with a towel and call a professional snake catcher.
If you see a snake outside, call a snake catcher if it disappears into a shed or under a vehicle.
Remember that even small snakes can be dangerous – baby brown snakes have venom right from the egg.
Stick to the trails in parks and reserves.
Clean up after chooks and control rodents on your property as rats and mice are food for snakes
Some basic first aid tips to help if you are in an incident including a snake bit include:
Avoid washing the wound as hospitals can test the bandage for poison and may be able to identify the type of snake, which will aid treatment.
If only one bandage is available, start over the bite site the work up the limb. If more bandages are available, bandage over the bite site, and then the second bandage start at the extremities and work up the limb. Bandage the limb as firmly as you would a sprained ankle.
Splint the limb to keep it straight.
Do not allow the victim to move.
Ensure the snake bite victim remains calm, as panicking will cause the heart rate to increase which will spread the poison around the body quicker.
As a helpful guide here are some of the stories we have released already this year
Wowsers! Trousers ! Whopping huge snake found on Sunshine Coast
Be on the lookout as Sea snake bites Banksia Beach man
New warnings as snakes on the move this season for Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay Regions
Snakes slithering into backyards as weather warms, keeping catchers busy
