Before you choose a reptile, it is important to consider the positive and negative aspects of reptile ownership and any associated risks carefully, particularly in households with very young children or people with impaired immune systems.
Did you know that:
• There is a small but inherent risk of salmonella, or other potentially harmful bacterial infections, associated with reptiles?
• There is a small but inherent risk of salmonella when handling raw or frozen and defrosted food, which may be fed to reptiles, such as mice, rats or chicks?
• This risk is elevated in very young children and those with impaired immune systems?
• Reptiles remain among the safest pets and the risk of disease transmission is far less than that posed by pet mammals, birds or from common human food items, such as chicken, provided you follow the basic hygiene precautions for handling your reptile and defrosting its food?
We advise the following precautions for reptile owners:
1. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately before and after handling or feeding your reptile, their cage or any other equipment, in particular after handling (raw or defrosted) mice, rats or chicks.
2. Always defrost frozen food naturally at room temperature on newspaper or kitchen towels away from food, food preparation surfaces and equipment.
3. Do not defrost in warm water or a microwave as this can lead to a risk of cross contamination.
4. Always disinfect all surfaces that have come into contact with defrosted food.
5. Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling your reptile or its food and associated equipment.
6. Always supervise children to ensure that they do not put your reptile, or objects that the reptile has been in contact with, near their mouths. Wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately before and after handling your reptile or any other objects.
7. Do not keep your reptile in rooms where food is prepared and eaten.
8. Do not allow your reptile to roam freely around the house.
9. Do not use kitchen sinks to bathe your reptile, wash their cage or equipment or defrost food. If you use a bathroom sink or bathtub, it must be cleaned thoroughly with disinfectant afterwards.
10. Dispose of waste water, droppings and urine from your reptile down the toilet instead of a sink or bathtub.

This guide has been issued in association with the Federation of British Herpetologists and The Reptile and Exotic Pet Association (REPTA).