A High Point Elementary School Student Was Bitten By a Rattlesnake on Tuesday

The warm weather is bringing out the snakes, and one got ahold of a child in Temple Tuesday afternoon.

City of Temple Public Relations Specialist Alejandra Arreguin reports that a 10-year-old High Point Elementary School student is recovering after encountering a rattlesnake on the playground.

Temple Fire & Rescue responded to an emergency call about the incident around 2PM. The child was reportedly bitten on the foot. The poor kid was taken to a local hospital, but the good news is that the bite was treated in time and the child's wounds are considered non-life-threatening.

Arreguin said the snake was found and captured, and is no longer a threat to the public.

That's nice, but you can bet there are more snakes out and about. Just as we're all getting out more lately to enjoy the sunshine and warmer temps, so are the creepy crawlies.

"Spring and summer temperatures mean wildlife are on the move, increasing the number of encounters," Arreguin said. "Temple Fire & Rescue would like to remind everyone to pay close attention to their surroundings during the warmer weather season."

She shared a few tips on how to keep yourself safe out there:

• Be cautious near high grass, trash or wood piles.
• Move things around with a shovel instead of picking up items when you cannot see underneath.
• Do not pick up snakes.
• Back away from the area where the snake was located, and the snake will likely go away.
• Leave snakes alone and they will leave you alone.

If you're bitten by a snake, call 9-1-1 immediately.