Salmonella and children under 5

[ms381]

I was just reading a web page on reptile keeping and salmonella. It stated that reptiles should be removed completlyfrom the house if a baby or a child under 5 is living in the house.

I am due to have a new born baby any time soon. I researched before hand and i read that as long as you anti bac your hands after handeling and keep all items related to the snakes away the risk of contaminstion is minmal. This site has made me think twice now.

My snakes are kept in tubs in one corner of my living room.

Any thoughts on this? Or will i have to sell my two snakes?

[therunaway]

as long as you clean, clean, clean, i think you may be ok, can never be too safe, everyone ive talked to in person that has had snakes had to get rid of them because of a newborn baby, i think it may be your best bet for the childs sake to just sell them, or ask someone to house them for a few years(joking) <--- unless you would try tht, you live in copenhagen, i would watch them, but idk where tht it.

[T&C Exotics]

In reality yes there is always a risk of salmonella. But as long as you clean your snakes and wash your hands then there should be no worries. I have a lot of snakes and have a baby on the way and I will not be getting rid of my snakes. I also know a lot of people who are great friends of mine who have various reptiles and also have children, the children were born while the people had the snakes, and they have had no issues what so ever. Just keep everything clean and there should be no issues. The only thing I would suggest is to move the snakes to an area where the baby can not come in contact with them more for the safety of the snakes and the baby. Baby grabs tub it falls, snakes get out, baby grabs snake, snake bites baby out of fear. That is really the only issue I see at all and it is extremely easy to fix.

[ms381]

I would hate to get rid of the snakes but the safety of my new born is paramount!

I was thinking about these steps:

Having a spare tub clean and ready prepared so i can easily transfer the snakes into them, allowing the dirty ones to be cleaned outside. Then those tubs can be prepared for the next change. Therefore no cleaning in the house.

Keeping handling of snakes to a minimum whilst the baby is young, use anti bac gel after.

Not allowing tje snakes to touch surfaces, sofas chairs etc.

Keep all snake utensils boxed and away from surfaces.


Just some changes i thought of to reduce the risk of salmonella.

Any thoughts or experiences, positive or negative. I would like to get the thoughts of the community. Thanks

[WarriorPrincess90]

If you take the precautions you stated, you'd probably be okay. I've never had an issue with Samonella and I allow my snakes to be in my face, on my head, and wherever else. The only other thing I would say is if you have a separate room with a closing and preferably locking door in which you can put your snakes, that would be ideal. Then all snake related things save for cleaning can go in that room, and the baby will not be allowed in the room. Handling could take place there as well and you can keep a thing of anti bac in there as well. It would also help prevent a "baby meeting snake by accident" fiasco.

[Skittles1101]

If you're a responsible parent and keep up on taking care of the snakes and being sure the child can't get a hold of them without you watching, and making sure your kids wash their hands if they do handle them, I think it's ridiculous to sell your snakes due to a new baby. My son is now 5 years old, and he always washes his hands when he handles the snakes (with my supervision). Honestly, the risk is only there if you allow it to be.

Keeping your snakes when your having a baby does not make you a bad parent either, don't let anyone make you think that. People are going to have their opinions, but as long as you are in control of the situation at home then they can shove it

[WingedWolfPsion]

I kept snakes and other reptiles through 2 pregnancies. Neither child ever contracted salmonella, and both were remarkably healthy as infants, not even an ear infection until after they were weaned.

Saying that you should remove all reptiles from your house is like saying you should never bring a raw chicken into your house. The chicken poses a greater threat of salmonella contamination. The CDC's stance on pets is, and always has been, ridiculous.

Too much cleaning and disinfecting doesn't keep people healthier, it stunts the development of the immune system, and makes people delicate and susceptible to infections. This is why advice is shifting away from telling people to use anti bacterial soap and spray everything with Lysol, to telling people to clean with ordinary soap and water.

The only way your offspring will risk contracting salmonella from your snakes is if they put the snakes in their mouth, or eat the bedding. I trust you can prevent that, lol. If you want added protection, wipe the outsides of the enclosures down with chlorox wipes, and keep all equipment up out of reach, and enclosures locked.

My kids were occasionally allowed to touch the snakes as young as age two, with my careful supervision, and immediate hand-washing afterward. Last year, they were awarded their own snakes to name, handle occasionally, and feed. (My daughter just turned 8). They grew up understanding that they had to wash their hands after handling a reptile or reptile equipment. No one's ever gotten salmonella from a reptile, here.

Your children will find things hidden under the couch cushions or dug out from the corner of a carpet that would make your hair turn white, and they will put those things into their mouths for you to fish out later. Trust me, the snakes are not a worry.

[Bagged1]

If you're a responsible parent and keep up on taking care of the snakes and being sure the child can't get a hold of them without you watching, and making sure your kids wash their hands if they do handle them, I think it's ridiculous to sell your snakes due to a new baby. My son is now 5 years old, and he always washes his hands when he handles the snakes (with my supervision). Honestly, the risk is only there if you allow it to be.

Keeping your snakes when your having a baby does not make you a bad parent either, don't let anyone make you think that. People are going to have their opinions, but as long as you are in control of the situation at home then they can shove it

I agree I have kids and reptiles, never had an issue. My son handles them but always washes his hands after, same with me. My daughter is 2 1/2 now she's allowed to look supervised but no touch. Honestly I'm convinced the kids are much more dirty than my snakes lol

[Enigmatic Reptiles]

We have 2 kids (one of which just turned 5 months) and we have never cut back on our reptiles. It all boils down to sanitation and responsibility. Clean yourself and anything which comes into contact with the baby thoroughly and routinely. If you have the space to do so, keep them in a separate room of the house to mitigate any introduction of anything potentially harmful to your baby. You will read reports everywhere which state reptiles and babies are bad, but mos of those are from authors with factual information with a bias twist to the true threat potential. Just keep clean and practice good hygiene and you will be good.

Interaction between yourself/other adults and your baby is far more dangerous than merely owning snakes.

[Johan]

Just use gloves and wash your hands well.