Arizona residents are being warned the above-average temperatures could make outside activities risky. Daniel Marchand of the Phoenix Herpetological Society said calls for snake removal are up 25 percent from a year ago.
“If you’re on the trail, things are easily visible, you know you’ll see them before you step on them,” Marchand said. “It’s when you wander off the trails to get a picture of the pretty flower or something else that’s pulling you off the trail, that’s going to get you in trouble.”
Marchand also warns residents to be careful during outdoor Easter events like egg hunts. He said you should avoid hiding eggs under rocks or plants where children have to reach into areas where they cannot see.
“You know, that could be just devastating if a kid reaches in there,” Marchand said. “He’s going to be thinking about that nice pretty colored egg and often the snake is blending in very well, you don’t see it very easily and obviously could get bit.”
Marchand recommends eggs be placed higher up off the ground, maybe in a planter that is a little off the ground or on tables and chairs. He said if you are bitten by a rattler, you need to stay calm.
Marchand said you shouldn’t drive yourself. If you have the ability, you should call the hospital you are going to and let them know there is a snakebite victim coming in. He said you should not put a tourniquet on or use ice on the snakebite, and you should not cut the area to suck out the venom.