Avoiding snakes
Leave wild animals alone. Don't try to capture or remove a rattlesnake from your property. Call professionals to have snakes removed.
Be aware of peak movement times. Reptiles are most active from April to October. In hot months, they're most active at night.
Keep your hands and feet out of crevices in rocks, woodpiles and deep grass. If you are hiking, watch where you step or sit. Snakes like to rest under rocks, logs or other shady places.
Carry a flashlight and wear shoes or boots when walking after dark.
Around the home, eliminate food sources, because snakes go into your yard looking for food. If you eliminate them, you lessen the chance of attracting a snake. Keep your sheds cleaned to prevent mice, and fill in holes made by gophers or other critters.
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Keep your shrubs trimmed to about 12 inches above the ground. That way, snakes won't be able to hide there.
If bitten
Don't apply a tourniquet or try to suck out the venom. Neither is effective.
Call 911 immediately and reassure patients, keeping them calm.
Remove constricting items, such as jewelry, from affected limbs.
Keep the affected limbs at heart level.
Sources: Rural/Metro Fire Department, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at the UA College of Pharmacy.
