How to Correctly Use Snake Tongs?

I just got a 40 inch gentle giant snake tongs from Midwest Tongs this morning from "santa" ;) I heard about how if you don't use it right, you could really hurt the animal you're using it on. I alrady cusioned the part that moves with electrical tape for added comfort and grip. Oh, yea, and it doesn't have the wide plastic red thing on the top. Its just a thin metal hook. I've already looked it up on google but I would like to know if anyone on here has these tongs, and I would like to know what you think is the best way to use them.

Thanks!