If the snake has not bitten anyone
- Move children, pets and bystanders away.
- Do not touch, trap, corner or try to kill the snake.
- Watch from behind glass or from well back if it is safe.
- Do not move objects near the last sighting point.
- Call a licensed reptile handler and explain the scene.
NSW Environment guidance says the safest response is not to handle or kill a snake, to keep children and pets away and to contact a local reptile handler or wildlife rehabilitation group.
If the snake is inside
Leave the room and close the door if you can do so without moving towards the snake. Keep everyone out. Do not block the snake with furniture or attempt to pin it down.
If the snake disappears
Mark the last position in your mind and note the direction it moved. Leave cupboards, stored materials and garden cover undisturbed. A catcher can decide whether a search is safe and worthwhile.
If someone may have been bitten
Call 000 immediately. Healthdirect advises keeping the person still and calm, applying a pressure immobilisation bandage, and not washing the bite, cutting it or trying to suck out venom. Follow the emergency operator’s directions.
Read current Healthdirect advice ↗
Important limit
This page is general safety information, not a substitute for emergency or medical advice. Suspected snake bite is a medical emergency.