NAF officer dies of snakebite inside toilet: Six ways to ‘prevent’ snakes from getting into water closets, toilet bowls

Reactions have emerged following the death of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Personnel Lance Corporal Ogah Bercy, attached to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), who died of complications from snakebite in her toilet at the NAF Base Bill Clinton Drive Abuja.

Newsflash Nigeria understands that a NAF female officer identified as Lance Corporal Ogah Bercy has died after she got bitten by a poisonous snake when she sat on the toilet seat in her room.

Reports said the snake made its way into her toilet bowl (WC) and bit her on Saturday at her residence at the Airforce Base, Bill Clinton Way, Airport Road, Abuja.

She was rushed to the medical centre, but she didn’t survive and was pronounced dead at the medical centre.

The snake is suspected to have found its way into her home through the Septic Tank to the Waste Dislodger.

A snake whisperer was said to have been called after the incident to remove the huge reptile from the toilet.

Questions on how snakes and other reptiles manage to enter our bathrooms and toilets have been raised and asked by many across social media.

Checks by Newsflash Nigeria show that it’s not very common for snakes to be found in toilets.

More plumbers have seen snakes under houses or in a roof cavity than in the toilet but however, snakes can get into a toilet through an opening in the sewer.

Sewers can be a hiding ground for mice and rats. Snakes can enter the sewer to get their next meal. They can make their way through a sewer and slither their way through.

When talking about snakes getting into the toilet sink, some people think or assume that there’s already water inside the toilet sink, but according to plumbers, the toilet seat is designed in such a way that the water stays only in the sink and the pipe that leads to the septic tank or soakaway is always empty and free of water.

Most reptiles would find it difficult to jump or enter into the water closets, they always find it easier to enter from the concrete chambers at the back of the house through which sewage pipes get connected and through cracks, under the doors and crevices.

Here are some preventive measures to take which will help in avoiding snake(s) curling up in your toilet bowl;

The best way to prevent a snake from making its way into your toilet is to make your home less attractive to the snake in the first place.

1. Keep windows and sliding doors in the bathroom closed or ensure the screens are fully intact so a snake can’t slide its way in.
2. Prevent a mouse or rat infestation in your home with the correct rodent protection. Snakes will follow the food trail, so if you have mice or rats near or in your house, get rid of them faster.
3. Always make sure that all the bushes around your house are properly cleared and well burnt so as to prevent any rodents or reptiles from harbouring around the house.
4. Another thing you should take note of is to always ensure you fumigate your toilet sink regularly. There are special pesticides that are made specifically for this purpose.
5. Keep your toilet lid closed at all times and you can also make use of a flat tile to cover your bathroom filter when you’re not in the bathroom so as to stop any further movement of the reptile through the pipes and also ensure that all pipes are well fixed and closed.
6. Lastly, always make sure you check inside your toilet sink before you sit on it, avoid using the toilet in the dark and public toilets are dangerous to use anyhow. If you must use them, don’t sit directly on them, lift up your buttock slightly above the bowl and be watchful.

Note: Look for small salt at least a cup and pour it into your WC, it will serve as poison to any dangerous reptiles around your soak away pit.

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