advice on reptiles and children?

[becky088]

I own a bearded dragon and have a child who is nearly 3 and am 3 months pregnant. I have read that children under 5 should not be near reptiles because of the risk of salmonella. Also when e new baby is brought into the household all reptiles should be removed. When buying the dragon we were told by several people that the risk is very low as long as hands are washed after handeling it. I am very worried and would love any advice from people with kids and reptiles. Please help to put my mind at rest!

[cracksolja]

If the reptile is in a seperate room id just keep the door shut to the that room possibly locked.....

After handling just give your hands a good throuogh wash with soap etc

[Catherine896]

Ive got a 9 month old son. Ive got 4 beardies, 1 collared, 1 chameleon and a leopard gecko.
You have more chance of getting salmonella from something else than the reptiles.
I made the mistake of getting rid of my first 2 leopard geckos when I was pregnant and Ive regretted it ever since.
Just get some antibacterial handwash and some hand gel and use that after every time you touch anything reptile related.

[Nerys]

advice on reptiles and children?

most reptiles cannot manage a whole one...



N

[Dave_D]

we have a 10 year old and a 16 month old at home with the animals listed in my sig and we have no problems whatsoever!

if anything, it keeps him occupied becasue as soon as any of my animals come out of hiding and he see's them, he will just sit there watching them and talking in his baby language, he seems fascinated with them!

Aslong as you take the necessary precautions on washing your hands then I dont see why you would have any problems, we have never had any, we just keep our snakes away from him in case he grabs one of them and they get hurt and strike out as I dont think its going to be as easy to take a bite off one of my snakes when your a young child, to us its nothing when a royal has you, thats something we all expect

[Nerys]

and to be more helpful..

my friend, has 5 kids, when i first knew her, her youngest was only a few months old. he, and the other 4, have been brought up around them and other animals with no ill effects at all. All 5 of the kids handle the reptiles all the time, and have never had any problems at all..

tbh you are more likely to catch something nasty from a cat, than from the snakes..

i got pics somewhere of her kids in a big bundle on the sofa, with my big female boa somewhere in the middle of the heap.. they love that snake!

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[Reiyuu]

your more likely to get salmonella from an undercooked piece fo chicken or an egg.. Unless you lick your reptiles just use good soap after handling and of your child handles make sure they do the same

[becky088]

thanks everyone for your advice. i really appreciate it! its put my mind at rest!

[becka]

my daughter is 5mnths old now, she has slept in the same room as my reps since she was born but obviously doesnt touch them. if your kids are going to handle them just mke sure they wash their hands after, as said. i use those handwashs that dont need water every time i touch any of them, even their food containers because im super paranoid!