I'm not judging you for wanting to protect your family, however, there is a reason you have snakes on your property. There is a food source or shelter they seek there. Do you have piles of brush or debris? Long grass? Also, killing snakes is a false sense of security. For the one you see, there are several more you don't. Furthermore, by removing a snake from the population you're opening up resources for another one to slither right into its place. The key to avoiding snake bites is education. Kids are super smart. If they can learn not to touch the stove, run into the street, stick their fingers in a light socket, etc., they can certainly be taught to watch for snakes and not to touch them. If you know you live in snake country, proper footwear (no flip flops or bare feet) and vigilance are essential. As the parent you should check out the kids' toys and outdoors area often before they head out to play. Snakes bite as a last resort. If you don't touch them/step on them and give them space they will not hurt you. Unfortunately a lot of people have the mentality that the only good snake is a dead snake but that is not true. A lot of people are very set in their ways with snakes but I always try to change their minds! Worth a shot, to me.