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6 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | SEPTEMBER 2026 | By Anita Lawrence An Important Health & Safety Message from San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital: Living in our beautiful community means sharing the environment with local wildlife, including snakes. If you or a loved one suffers a snake bite, knowing the correct protocol can save a life. San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital is fully equipped and stocks the necessary anti-venom medication to treat snake bites effectively. Their procedures strictly align with the emergency medical guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WHAT TO DO IMMEDIATELY (CDC & Hospital Guidelines) Call 911 immediately. Time is the most critical factor; medical attention must never be delayed. Stay calm and still. Sit or lay down. Minimal movement slows the spread of venom through your body. Position the bite safely. Keep the bite area at or below heart level. Remove tight items. Take off rings, watches, or tight clothing should swelling occur. Wash the wound. Clean the bite area gently with soap and water. Cover the bite. Apply clean, dry dressing over the wound. Remember the snake's look. Safely note its color and shape to help doctors identify it. If it is safe, take a photo from a distance. WHAT NOT TO DO (CDC Restrictions) DO NOT apply a tourniquet. Restricting blood f low causes severe, localized tissue damage. DO NOT cut or suck the wound. Never slash the skin or attempt to suck out venom. DO NOT apply ice. Avoid extreme cold, and do not submerge the wound in water. DO NOT drink alcohol or caffeine. Avoid these beverages as they can speed up venom absorption. DO NOT take blood-thinning pain meds. Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Use acetaminophen if absolutely needed. DO NOT capture the snake. Do not try to trap or kill it. This risks a second bite. IN AN EMERGENCY, GET TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM RIGHT AWAY! Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Our Emergency Department entrance is unlocked and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hospital Address: 600 N. Highland Springs Ave., Banning, CA 92220. Main Hospital Line (951) 845-1121. Community Awareness By Michele Walter On behalf of the Blue Zones Project in Banning, I would like to thank you for your incredible generosity during our recent school donation drive for Banning Unied School District. I am proud to live in a community that prioritizes the well-being and future of our children to make it a healthier and brighter place for everyone. Our community truly came together to support our school district. Our local students now have the resources they need to thrive thanks to your contributions of backpacks, headphones, snack containers, post it notes, water bottles, ash drives, hygiene kits, calculators, notebooks with paper, folders, desk organizers, pens, pencils, erasers, scissors, glue sticks, and highlighters. Your donations directly support the Blue Zones mission of fostering longevity, health, and wellness in our schools. A special thank you to Kim and Maddie Jensen, Raelene and Steve Kretchman, Randy and Debbie Robbins,Kymm Terlau, Dave Miller, Janis Rice, Mary Sampson, Anita and Bill Lawrence, John Chambers, Charlie Friese, Chloe Sidwell, and Debbie Baldwin. Dave Miller oered his truck to drop o all the donations to Banning Unied School District along with Debbie Robbins and me. Debbie and I wrapped 20 baskets lled with all the donations we received and still had six boxes lled with items. is wonderful partnership between Sun Lakes and our schools highlights the strength of our community. Again, we are deeply grateful for your contributions, kindness, and dedication to our Banning schools. If you did not have the opportunity to attend our program on Skin Cancer from Loma Linda Dermatology, you will denitely want to watch it on Channel 97. Scott Letu and Jennifer Konior gave a wonderful presentation on "How to Spot Skin Cancer." ey also gave the ABCDEs of Melanoma. You can go to our website under Community Awareness and watch it there. e Community Awareness Program is always held on the rst Tuesday of each month from 1 to 3 pm in the Main Clubhouse Ballroom. Our steering committee meets on the last Tuesday of each month in the Bus Room at 11 am. Join us every month to stay informed. Questions or concerns, contact Michele Walter at (951) 202- 8009 or email crystalwater@dc.rr.com. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING. PLEASE REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS INDIVIDUALS, ACTIVITIES, AND THEFTS DIRECTLY TO BANNING POLICE DEPARTMENT, CALL 911! SNAKE BITE SAFETY PROTOCOL & Safety Message from San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital: Living in our beautiful community means sharing the environment with local wildlife, donations to Banning Unied School District along with Debbie Robbins and me. Debbie and I wrapped 20 baskets lled with all POLICE DEPARTMENT, CALL 911! SNAKE BITE SAFETY PROTOCOL

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