Good snake safety begins with reliable information, calm behaviour and practical preparation. At a local display day, Harley introduced children to snakes and reptiles in a carefully supervised setting and explained why these animals sometimes appear near Sydney homes, gardens and workplaces. The session encouraged curiosity while keeping the safety message clear.
Simple lessons children can remember
Children do not need technical identification skills to make a safe decision. Harley focuses on a few memorable actions: do not touch or chase a wild snake, move away slowly, tell an adult and keep pets or younger children from approaching. He also explains that most snakes prefer an escape route and should be left undisturbed while professional help is arranged.
Supervised displays let children ask questions in a controlled environment. Harley uses clear, age-appropriate language to explain how reptiles move, shelter and contribute to the Australian environment. The aim is informed respect—not encouraging anyone to handle wildlife they find outdoors.
Support for educators and childcare centres
Snakes in the City can provide structured reptile education for childcare centres and community groups. Educators can use the session to reinforce their own supervision and emergency procedures, including where children should assemble, which adult should call for help and how staff can preserve the last known location without moving closer.
Workplace toolbox talks for outdoor teams
Harley also provides practical toolbox talks for people working around construction sites, landscaped grounds, bushland edges, utilities and outdoor maintenance areas. A workplace session can cover likely shelter points, safe observation, scene isolation, reporting responsibilities and what to do if a worker may have been bitten. Advice is adapted to the site rather than presented as a generic wildlife lecture.
- Check work areas and stored materials before reaching into concealed spaces.
- Never rely on colour alone to identify a snake or decide that it is harmless.
- Keep the animal an escape route and isolate people from the area.
- For a suspected bite, call Triple Zero (000), keep the person still and follow pressure-immobilisation first aid instructions.
Education backed by field experience
Harley brings more than a decade of professional snake-catching experience to these sessions. His examples come from genuine Sydney call-outs in homes, schools, businesses, sporting grounds and difficult-access locations. To discuss a supervised display, workplace talk or urgent snake removal, call Snakes in the City on 0411 103 488.