SNAKE BITES: On Tuesday, we shared information from reader Fred Tarnaski on northern water snakes. Fred also offered some advice on snake bites — both preventing and caring for them.
Fred writes, “If someone approaches a snake it is best to give it its space and let it go on its way. Most people are bitten by snakes trying to capture and/or kill them. I’ve never seen nor heard a snake bite story starting with ‘I was giving the snake space and leaving it alone when it bit me!’”
So what do you do if you are careful but get bit anyway?
“If you, your child, or family pet is bitten by a non-venomous snake only very basic, simple first aid is really needed,” Fred says. “If bitten by a venomous snake it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Do not waste time trying to capture or kill the snake and risking another bite to take to the hospital for identification. The same anti-venom is used for all three venomous snakes found in our state.”
He added, it’s “important to note that out of 8,000 venomous snakes bites in the U.S. every year only about 15 of them or less are fatal. You have a better chance dying from a bee sting. Most of the people out of those 8,000 bites are young males in their 20s that were intoxicated and tried handling a venomous snake.”
Good to know.
BRADFORD NATIVE: Bradford native Justin Willoughby recently shared his inspiring weight-loss story on the “Today Show” and was featured in a Huffington Post article.
Many locals are no doubt already familiar with his story, as he talks about his struggle to lose weight through his work as a motivational speaker.
The Huffington Post reports that Justin, 16 years old and 799 pounds in 2003, was told he needed to lose weight or risk an early death. Justin started the long process of eating healthier and exercising. Now, 11 years later, he’s now down to a much healthier 235 pounds.
If you missed his Today Show appearance earlier this month, Justin’s interview can be viewed at www.today.com/health/shadow-his-former-self-meet-man-who-lost-550-pounds-2D79831113. The Huffington Post article can be found at www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/16/i-lost-weight-justin-willoughby_n_5310166.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular.
High five on your success, Justin!
