“Each year at this time, we will see patients coming through the ER with serious snake bites. The best piece of advice is to be cautious and to know the steps to take in the case of a venomous snake bite.”
said Dr. Anne Rizzo, trauma surgeon
Wichita Falls, TX – March 16, 2015 – Spring break is upon us – and so is the opportunity for outdoor activities. While out enjoying the nice weather, United Regional encourages everyone to be aware of the dangers of snake bites.
“Each year at this time, we will see patients coming through the ER with serious snake bites,” said Dr. Anne Rizzo, trauma surgeon at United Regional. “The best piece of advice is to be cautious and to know the steps to take in the case of a venomous snake bite.”
What can you do to prevent a snake bite?
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Look where you are walking.
Monitor where your children are playing. Look inside sandboxes and playhouses.
Keep grass and vegetation cut short. Trim grassy borders along sidewalks and flower gardens to no more than six inches wide and keep low limbs cut three feet off the ground.
If you need to retrieve something from an area you can’t see such as behind shrubs or under a foundation, use a stick or shovel, not your hands.
Steer your pet clear of long grasses, bushes and rocks.
Remove debris piles (e.g., branches, leaves, boards, logs).
Seal off spacing under A/C unit slabs, landscaping rocks, etc.
Seal area around A/C lines, electrical and plumbing going into the building.
Snakes can strike across a distance equal to about half their body length. If you see a snake, go the other direction.
What are you to do in the event of a venomous snake bite?
… Find out in an interview with Anne Rizzo, MD. Contact Lynn Wiesen for an interview today, March 16, or Wednesday, March 18. We thank you for your help in educating the community.