SNAKE WARNINGS USUALLY GO OUT IN NEW MEXICO APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER. THIS YEAR, THE NEW MEXICO POISON CONTROL CENTER IS WARNING RESIDENTS TO BEWARE OF SNAKES. THIS STATE HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF RATTLESNAKE BITES PER CAPITA ANNUALLY.
JACQUELINE KAKOS WITH THE POISON CONTROL CENTER IT’S MOSTLY BECAUSE MUCH OF THE STATE IS RURAL. SHE TELLS US IF YOU’RE BITTEN, STAY STILL SO YOU DON’T INCREASE YOUR PULSE. SHE SAYS YOU WANT TO PREVENT BLOOD FROM RUSHING TO YOUR HEART. KAKOS SAYS DON’T TRY TO SUCK THE VENOM OUT OR APPLY A TOURNIQUET.
TO PREVENT A SNAKE BITE, SHE SAYS AVOID TALL GRASSES AND BRUSH WHEN YOU’RE HIKING, OR USE A STICK TO CLEAR THE WAY … PAY ATTENTION TO SHADED AREAS THAT SNAKES LIKE DURING THE DAY, LEAVE WOOD PILES OR ROCK PILES ALONE, AND BE AWARE THAT SNAKES ARE MORE ACTIVE AT NIGHT.
