One person was hospitalized Friday afternoon after a possible snake bite was reported in a Valencia neighborhood, adding a sharp wildlife warning to an already sweltering Southern California weekend. Officials have not publicly identified the snake or released the person's condition.
The incident was reported in the Santa Clarita area, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles, which cited information from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and SkyFOX reporter Stu Mundel. The initial report placed the bite in the 22000 block of 4th Street and said the victim was taken to a hospital.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says rattlesnakes generally avoid people and prefer to be left alone, but bites can happen when a snake feels threatened or is accidentally touched. The agency says most bites occur between April and October, when snakes and people are more active outdoors.
What To Do If You Spot A Snake
The Valencia incident follows another recent scare in the Santa Clarita area, where a 3-year-old girl was bitten after reaching for a package with a rattlesnake hiding underneath it. Hoodline reported that the child received antivenom and spent time in pediatric intensive care before continuing her recovery at home.
If a snake appears, back away and give it a clear escape route rather than trying to move, handle or kill it. In the event of a bite, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife advises staying calm, removing tight items such as rings or shoes, and getting to a medical facility quickly; do not use a tourniquet, ice, a knife or suction.
The California Poison Control System says anyone bitten should call 911 immediately, with its 24-hour poison hotline available at 1-800-222-1222. Warning signs can include swelling, bruising, severe pain, nausea, lightheadedness and trouble breathing.
For residents trying to make yards less inviting to snakes, the state's wildlife officials recommend reducing nearby rodent activity and keeping children and pets away from brush, tall weeds, wood piles and other hiding places. A snake sighting can be unsettling, but distance is usually the safest response for both people and the snake.
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