As summer heats up in California, rattlesnakes become more active — slithering onto sun-toasted trails and sneaking into water sources.

If you’re not careful, the venomous snakes can strike, according to Michael Starkey, a wildlife biologist and the founder and executive director of Save the Snakes.

About 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About five of those victims die per year.

Starkey said about 500 to 800 Californians get rattlesnake bites per year.

The problem is “people not looking where they’re going,” he said. “They’re bitten on the trail accidentally, (when) stepping over a rock or a log.”

If you find yourself in that situation, there are steps you can take to survive the incident.

Here’s what you need to know to stay safe during rattlesnake season:

How to identify venomous snakes: California is home to seven species of rattlesnakes, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Although the Northern Pacific rattlesnake can be spotted in the Sacramento area and parts of the Central Valley, you might see more Southern Pacific rattlesnakes on the Central Coast, Starkey said.

You can identify a rattlesnake through its triangular-shaped head, diamond pattern and the distinct sound of the rattle at the end of its tail, the state Fish and Wildlife Department said.

However, humans shouldn’t always rely on sound to identify these snakes. Baby rattlesnakes don’t have rattles, and adult snakes’ rattles occasionally break off, according to the National Park Service.

Rattlesnakes can grow to 3 to 4 feet long and tend to have “heavier, chubbier” bodies than other snake species, Starkey said.

The reptiles live in elevations up to 9,000 feet and typically hang out under rocks, logs and woodpiles, the National Park Service said.

Rattlers are usually spotted by humans in arid landscapes, such as on hiking trails or near homes in the foothills, Starkey said.

How to avoid rattlesnakes: Whether you encounter rattlesnakes in the wild or your own backyard, it’s crucial to give them space, Starkey said.

“They are much more afraid of you, than you are of them,” he said. “We are a predator to rattlesnakes.”

Follow these tips to stay clear of the snakes, according to the National Park Service:

Hike on established trails where the ground is clear, so you can see where you step.

If you do encounter a rattlesnake, Starkey recommended taking a wide berth around the reptile.

A rattlesnake can only strike a distance equal to half its own body length, the National Park Service said.

What to do if you get bitten: If you get bitten by a rattlesnake, Starkey said it’s essential to stay calm.

By staying cool under stress, your heart rate will decrease and slow down the absorption of venom in the body, according to Starkey.

Most people survive life-threatening rattlesnake attacks if they seek out medical help immediately, he said.

“The longer you wait, the more likely you are to have permanent damage from the rattlesnake bite,” Starkey explained. “So that’s why it’s so critical that if you are bitten, you drop everything you’re doing and get to a hospital.”

Beyond dialing 911 and seeking medical attention, Starkey and the National Park Service recommended to stop moving the limb where the bite occurred to limit the spread of the venom.

What not to do if a rattler strikes you: When it comes to treating rattlesnake bites, there are certain practices that aren’t just out of date — they’re dangerous, according to Starkey.

“We don’t want to put a tourniquet on, so don’t take your belt off, get a cord or a bungee or something and stop that (blood) flow,” he said.

Starkey said you should never cut the rattler bite, try to suck out the venom or use a snake bite kit.

“Those are all ineffective to removing venom,” Starkey said.

You should also avoid icing the wound, he said, since it can constrict the venom and cause more damage to the part of the body where the bite occurred.

Bite victims should not drink any alcohol or caffeine following a rattlesnake strike, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What if my dog gets bitten by a snake?: If your dog is bitten by a rattlesnake, get them to an emergency veterinarian as soon as possible, Starkey said.

That way the pet can be treated with antivenom quickly.

Pet owners can prevent their dogs from being bitten by rattlesnakes by signing them up for snake aversion training.

The courses can effectively teach dogs how to avoid rattlers in the wild, according to Starkey.