Teachig Snake Saftey! how and what do you teach??

[Aussiegirl777]

We spent most of our younger years growing up backing onto the bush. We had alot of snakes in our yard as kids and thankfully no bad incidents to talk about. We were taught to wear shoes where possible, and when walking in scrubby areas to take solid heavy steps. Snakes can't hear but they feel vibrations - most are quite timid by nature and when they feel you coming they retreat. Keep the yard tidy as I remember one year we put our Christmas tree laying down just outside our front door until council clean up and when we lifted it up 6 little baby brown snakes were living underneath!! For some reason when we were kids I remember not really looking for snakes but always being aware and on the few times that I did come face to face with one, I seemed to sense that one was there. I have know idea why that was. Also if you have a dog they can usual let you know that there is a snake around because they bark like crazy. Well ours did. And recently we had a snake here at this house too and our dogs went beserk. I hope this helps. It's about having respect and may the two never meet.

[beckoes]

thanks both!! very helpfull! krys: need to learn some snake first aid! and aussie girl you so right, its about respect!

[Epacris]

A great question! This is a passion of mine. Krys and Aussie have made some excellent suggestions.

My tips are:
- All snakes are protected and it is illegal (and immoral IMO, and dangerous) to kill them.
- Snakes are much more scared of you than you are of them.
- People are almost always bitten when they are trying to kill a snake.
- Be cautious around snake habitat, long grass, piles of logs.
- Always wear sensible shoes when in snake habitat (and leather gloves if appropriate).
- Learn as much as you can about snakes. Get yourself a snake identification book.
- Learn the correct first aid for snake bite.
- Always carry 4 compression bandages (not crepe bandages) when in snake habitat.
- If you are lucky (IMO ) enough to see a snake, remain calm, walk away.

I have always loved these comments from Brian Bush, a passionate snake advocate:

In the past 40 years I have met many people who believe tiger snakes have chased them. However, I have yet to meet someone that has been caught by one!

More people die each year in Australia from horse riding related accidents than snakebite. We do not go around hitting horses on the head with a shovel! Nor do we have as negative an attitude to Australia's deadliest venomous animal: the honeybee, an exotic introduced from Europe!

Not sure if I’m allowed to post the link, just google “Brian Bush Snakes”.

HTH

[beckoes]

Epacris: awesome!!! thanks so much! off to google i go!

[~Kim~]

We teach DD not to pick up rocks, not to go into long grass and not to dig in garden beds (don't forget about the spiders).
She also knows not to go near, just walk away quietly. But she's 4, not sure how I would have approached it with a littly.
We generally don't let the kids out without shoes either.

[Miss E]

This is a really interesting thread... I lived in the country in north east victoria for the first five years of my life and to be honest as an adult I am now petrified of snakes. I think it is because as a young child I had the fear of god put into me in regard to snakes. I'm sure if we had of lived in the country longer I would've been taught how to 'live with' snakes as I got older and more responsible, but because we moved to the city that never happened.

Yes, I know all the precautions, make lots of noise (not really that difficult for children), if you are going for a walk carry a long stick with you and sweep it in front of you to create vibrations on the ground, wear all encompassing shoes etc, but even now as an adult I feel very uncomfortable/cautious walking around in a country area in the warmer months.

As a parent I think it is a really difficult area. Part of me does think that for young children (under 6) it is necessary for them to have a fear of snakes along with a solid understanding of the precautions, because lets face it if you tell a small child not to touch something, most will out of pure curiousity. When you live in the country the reality is a child will probably spend some time outdoors where they aren't being closely supervised, if they come across a snake you don't want that curiousity to take over iykwim? I think as they get older and develop a better understanding of the world then you can work on turning that fear into a respect. Anyway, that's just my opinion, but I no longer live in the country and I am petrified of snakes so that may be clouding my judgement...

[AnyDream]

From a young age, we have practised saying "Danger! snake" and "Danger! don't touch" when looking at story books with snake pictures...and reinforcing with messages like what would you do if you see a snake in the garden...move away and come and tell a grown up, we don't touch snakes etc. The "Danger!" (said with drama, like an exclamation) word is a handy concept because you can then apply to other situations, like electrical cords and running onto roads, when you need to get their attention fast.