You are not allowed to burn dry grass
“Under no circumstances are residents allowed to start fire whether on open fields or even burn dry grass in their own yards. It is illegal"
Winter is on our doorstep and residents are burning open dry fields around their homes.
Mr Kingdom Mabuza is very vocal about residents igniting dry grass,
“Under no circumstances are residents allowed to start fire whether on open fields or even burn dry grass in their own yards. It is illegal and whoever starts fire without contacting the fire department will be issued with a warning and if they are repeat offenders they could be fined.”
But some residents just do not adhere to the municipal bylaw and therefore many may find strange visitors popping in for a quick ‘hallo’.
Mr Phillip du Plessis from Legacy Emergency Specialists said they were called out on eight occasions in this past month to remove a snake. The most dangerous snake they had to catch recently was a Rinkhals.
He shared a few tips and pointers in the event that you might encounter a snake in or near your home.
“Hardware stores sell products which can be used to block the gap below doors. If you cannot afford these door blocks, use a damp towel on the inside of your entrance doors in order to prevent snakes from entering your home. “An easy way of repelling snakes from your yard would be to obtain an equal amount of mothball flakes, hot pepper, sulphur and garlic all mixed together and sprinkle this mixture in your garden. But be careful if you have children and animals as some of these ingredients are harmful to your health if ingested.”
Phillip’s advice if you come across a snake is to not make sudden movements,
“Snakes do not see the same way that humans do, some make use of thermal imaging. They will solemnly react to movement and if being threatened.”
Phillip asked that you keep a visual on the snake, so that when they arrive they do not have to search for the snake.
“Snakes do not hunt or travel in pairs, except perhaps in summer times when it is breeding season,” Phillip said laughing at the myth that the snake’s mom or dad is most probably around.
Mr Phillip du Plessis from Legacy Emergency Specialists is a snake handler.
He said there are only two anti-venoms available on the market known as Monovalent and Polyvalent but these anti-venoms can only be administered in a hospital setting where airway and cardiac interventions are available.
Many a times, a snake handler was called, after the callers and or bystanders hurt or killed the snake. This is then a useless attempt to contribute to the ecological system. Please do not kill or hurt the snake before or even after calling for a snake handler.
Contact Phillip on Legacy’s contact number if you have an uninvited guest slithering around your premises: 061 9960 911.
The local fire department is currently conducting an educational campaign in various informal settlements and schools to inform and educate residents about dangers of open fire.
ALSO READ:
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/66973/three-snakes-found-by-home-owners/
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/39962/python-run-over-near-dam/
