It is extremely important that you practice good sanitation every time you come into contact with your reptile or anything from its environment.

• Wash your hands with a disinfecting soap after handling the reptile and any of its environmental contents, especially after cleaning its cage and coming into contact with any animal droppings.

• Use disposable gloves.

• Disinfect the cage and its accessories often.

• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling your reptile or cleaning its environment.

• Do not kiss your pet reptile.

• Do not clean your reptile’s cage or its contents in your kitchen or where any food preparation may take place.

• Disinfect the sink, tub, or counter you use to clean these items immediately after cleaning them to reduce the potential of disease-causing organisms being transmitted to you or anything you may use in the near future.

• Supervise children around the reptile.

• If your nonvenomous reptile bites or scratches you, wash the injured area immediately with a disinfecting soap and then apply a topical antibiotic ointment. If any signs of infection (such as redness, swelling, pus, or fever) develop, contact a doctor as soon as possible.

• Do not keep venomous reptiles.

• Take your reptile to a veterinarian and have the reptile tested for potentially harmful organisms.