As Walt Disney World beaches and marinas are closed after a toddler is dragged into the water, many of us are trying to wrap our minds around this horrific event. Many people are questioning how and why this happened, as well as wondering how to prevent something like this from happening again in the future. Whether you are local to Florida or are considering Florida as a vacation destination, you will want to read these quick tips about how to keep your family and pets safe while enjoying the great outdoors.
Fatal or not, alligator attacks incite fear in all of us. However, you should know that alligator attacks on humans are not frequent. Humans are not the typical diet of alligators. In fact, Nick Wiley, executive director at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated that “the alligator in the recent attack at Walt Disney World most likely confused the child for a small dog or raccoon.” While this may bring you a certain measure of peace of mind regarding the safety for your human family members, it may raise your awareness regarding the safety of your pets.
Alligator attacks – 7 safety tips!
Keep reading to learn how you can keep your entire family, including your pets, safe from alligator attacks this summer.
- Don’t feed the alligators. Believe it or not, alligators fear humans. If you humans feed the alligators, they are helping the alligator to associate humans with food and that is a big mistake.
- Don’t unintentionally feed the alligators. Put all scraps of food and especially fish in the trash bins. Throwing any type of food into the water will make the alligators think food is coming from outside of the water and we want to keep the alligators inside the water.
- Allow the human members of your family to swim only during daylight hours. Alligators are nocturnal. This means that they will be looking for the meals at night. Keep your children out of the water at night and always monitor them. Teach your children to never, ever swim alone.
- Watch your pets like a hawk. This includes keeping your pets out of any bodies of water that may be inhabited by alligators. Additionally, never wade or play near the water’s edge. Just because you don’t see the alligator, doesn’t it mean he can’t see you!
- Adhere to all posted swimming rules. Do not allow any members of your family to swim in areas marked “No swimming”. The signs are there for a reason!
- If an alligator charges at you, run. Keep in mind, this is rare and usually seen in cases where an alligator has a nest nearby.
- Do not harass the alligators and teach your family members the same. Pestering alligators not only puts you in danger but it is illegal.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can help prevent another horrible tragedy from happening. If you are ever in a situation where you are confronted by an alligator that seems to pose a threat, don’t take matters into your own hands. Call 1-866-FWC-GATOR. If an alligator is a threat, it will be removed be a licensed trapper. For more useful information about alligators, please contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
These are all great tips! Having been around more alligators than I can count, I can add that this is a very unpredictable creature and you may feel things are fine but if you get too close, and don’t keep in mind these rules you posted, you could quickly become lunch.
Very true Jason. Thanks for the words of wisdom, most appreciated.