Steps to prevent snakebites:
(1) Always wear leather shoes. Many snakebites involve the feet. Boots are preferred since they protect the ankles.
(2) Do not place the hands directly on the ground, inside hollow pieces of wood, small caves, under logs or under rocks. A stick should be used to probe poorly visualized areas.
(3) Caution should be exercised around houses and outbuildings, especially around baskets, boxes, hoses, or other items left outside.
(4) Some snakes may live in trees and bushes, and caution should be used when climbing or entering a thicket.
(5) Practice care when harvesting crops or plants.
(6) Children should be instructed not to play with snakes.
(7) Do not try to handle, approach or kill a poisonous snake.
(8) If a snake is seen, avoid it and give it a wide berth.
Times when snakebites may be more common:
(1) during agricultural activities like planting or harvesting
(2) during heavy rains with flooding
(3) travel into natural snake habitat
(4) when the weather is moderate to warm
Education is important, not only to aid in recognizing the relative danger, but also how to coexist with snakes with relative safety.
