This is gonna sound ridiculous but...

How does one with a fear of fire live with a heat lamp?

Let me explain.
I've had a fear of fire ever since I was six years old when my neighbor's house burned down, and since then it's really taken a toll on me. The smoke detectors and fire alarms freak me out, I used to not be able to even be in the same room as a candle.Luckily I have gotten better, I can sit around candles and campfires, and many others.However that fear is still there, and I still can't sit next to the fire alarm at school. (I still have a slight fear that I'll come home one day my house will be burned down, as weird as that is.)

The reason I bring this up is because of an incident last night. I start going into my room-where all my animals are-when I smell burning plastic. I open the door to find Asriel's heat lamp on a plastic/canvas bottom to a guinea pig cage, and a hazy "smoke" all around the room. My foster kittens must've pulled at the cord while they were running around, knocking it over.
Of course I'm freaked out-I pickup the lamp, I turn the fans on to get rid of the "smoke" and the smell, and check to make sure everyone's okay.
Since then I've been in absolute panic mode. The kittens are confined to a separate room, and anytime they are remotely next to the snake tank I panic. I unplugged the heat lamp last night in sheer panic, and now I really need help.

How do I go on like this? I have severe anxiety but I've been really good these past few months, but now I have to start all over. I'm really freaked out as they nearly started a fire, my worst fear. However, it's wrong to deprive Asriel of heat. Yes he has his UTH, but that doesn't effect the overall air temperature.

I can't get rid of this snake because of my petty fear. I love this little guy with all my heart, and it's wrong to just give him up because of his heat lamp. However it's really wrong to take his heat away. I really want this guy to have the best care I can possibly give him, and my stupid fear of fire and last night's incident is prohibiting this. If they hadn't knocked it down I would've been fine, but now I'm always on edge.
I'm desperate for help. I know none of you are psychologists, but I figured that I'll turn to those who have owned snakes for years have any tips for managing heat lamps.
And just a heads up, I'd rather you not offer 'fire safety' advice? I already know and it actually gives me more anxiety, if that makes any sense.

Thank you in advance.

If you don't want to have a heat lamp over him, you can use a second UTH. It won't raise your air temps much but it will bump up your cool side temps.

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Originally Posted by MD_Pythons

If you don't want to have a heat lamp over him, you can use a second UTH. It won't raise your air temps much but it will bump up your cool side temps.

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Exactly this. Set one at 90*F, the other for 82*F, with a snug hide over each.

Does your room have a door to close it to keep the kittens out? I understand this fear since my cat likes to get on booples cage. No idea why she just started this. I now have to keep my door shut. Would that ease your fear a little if the kittens can't get to the lamps?

Going along with the above folks and keeping the door closed to keep the kittens out, you can get a little spring thing that attaches to the door hinges and will automatically close the door for you. Even if it doesn't latch, it does close and I think it would be beyond the abilities of a kitten to push open.

Alternative idea might be to hang a hook from the ceiling/wall (small screw in kind like you might use to hang a stocking off of a wood fireplace) and hang the lamp from it (some sort of rope or small chain perhaps) slightly raised above the cage. If you can re-calibrate temps with the lamp slightly elevated, hanging means it can't be knocked over onto things that might burn and as long as there's nothing for a kitten to push underneath it that might burn, that should eliminate any accidents from the lamp being moved. If it swings a little, it should be fine even if it touches anything for a few seconds. Gravity will bring it back to the "safe" position where it isn't touching something.

I haven't had snakes too long and so far haven't had to set up a lamp heater, but hanging sounds to me more stable to prevent any accidents than even a lamp stand. As long as what it hangs from can't be knocked out, it wouldn't be able to fall.

Perhaps the most secure method to hang I can think of would be a combo of these 3 things for the cheapest method:
1 of something like this (can't tell if the hole is big enough online, I'd make sure to look in store): https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...6916/204273856
2 of these to attach the chain to the screw and the chain to the lamp: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...2704/205887774
However much of this to hang it: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...0016/204640736

Radiant heat panels (RHPs). They don’t get as hot, which is also safer for the snake, and IMO are much safer when installed correctly (which is simple, but some idiots...).


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Maybe there is a better way to secure your lamp also. Possibly a large clamp. That may ease your mind a bit. And, I agree to keep the cats out.

I totally get what your saying about fear/anxiety. I have ocd and am a control freak. I too have an unreasonable fear of a house fire. But, we can only control so much. Be sure all heating elements are on a thermostat. I prefer pvc cages with an rhp. This method/setup eases my fears but nothing to 100% certain in life.

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Originally Posted by FlipsideRuffian

How does one with a fear of fire live with a heat lamp?

Let me explain.
I've had a fear of fire ever since I was six years old when my neighbor's house burned down, and since then it's really taken a toll on me. The smoke detectors and fire alarms freak me out, I used to not be able to even be in the same room as a candle.Luckily I have gotten better, I can sit around candles and campfires, and many others.However that fear is still there, and I still can't sit next to the fire alarm at school. (I still have a slight fear that I'll come home one day my house will be burned down, as weird as that is.)

The reason I bring this up is because of an incident last night. I start going into my room-where all my animals are-when I smell burning plastic. I open the door to find Asriel's heat lamp on a plastic/canvas bottom to a guinea pig cage, and a hazy "smoke" all around the room. My foster kittens must've pulled at the cord while they were running around, knocking it over.
Of course I'm freaked out-I pickup the lamp, I turn the fans on to get rid of the "smoke" and the smell, and check to make sure everyone's okay.
Since then I've been in absolute panic mode. The kittens are confined to a separate room, and anytime they are remotely next to the snake tank I panic. I unplugged the heat lamp last night in sheer panic, and now I really need help.

How do I go on like this? I have severe anxiety but I've been really good these past few months, but now I have to start all over. I'm really freaked out as they nearly started a fire, my worst fear. However, it's wrong to deprive Asriel of heat. Yes he has his UTH, but that doesn't effect the overall air temperature.

I can't get rid of this snake because of my petty fear. I love this little guy with all my heart, and it's wrong to just give him up because of his heat lamp. However it's really wrong to take his heat away. I really want this guy to have the best care I can possibly give him, and my stupid fear of fire and last night's incident is prohibiting this. If they hadn't knocked it down I would've been fine, but now I'm always on edge.
I'm desperate for help. I know none of you are psychologists, but I figured that I'll turn to those who have owned snakes for years have any tips for managing heat lamps.
And just a heads up, I'd rather you not offer 'fire safety' advice? I already know and it actually gives me more anxiety, if that makes any sense.

Thank you in advance.

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That doesn't sound ridiculous at all. I can empathise as I nearly died in a bad car crash 6 years ago. God knows how but I escaped with just a broken wrist and everything was fine.

Then 2 months ago I was in my friend's car on the way to work. The car was full and I was in the back. One of the guys has a mild form of Tourettes so he was speaking very loudly in the car. All of a sudden I felt like I couldn't breathe, I felt trapped and started panicking. I felt like I just had to get out.

Since then I also get that feeling indoors. I literally find it difficult to breathe. I actually went to the doctor because I thought I had a breathing problem but they found nothung wrong.

Anyway the point I'm getting at is that I have some idea of what you're going through but I don't think you should rehome your snake. As mentioned there's many other heating options to use. I also find my baby Burm has a relaxing effect on me and by the sounds of it you love your animals too so they can help you get through any anxiety you may feel.

Look at it that way, your snake is helping you to overcome this.

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Originally Posted by MD_Pythons

If you don't want to have a heat lamp over him, you can use a second UTH. It won't raise your air temps much but it will bump up your cool side temps.

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BOOM^^^^ here is the answer !! Works perfect. Balls are on the ground almost all the time unless you provide climbing things. Grab another UTH on a thermostat and run it at 80 degress. People did this for decades before we ever played with ambient temps. Good luck and thats great your talking about it to find a solution[emoji1360][emoji1360]


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Seconding the RHP, they're lot more expensive than a heat bulb, but will last you a lifetime and save you money in the long run. Make sure all heating sources are on a thermostat, and you shouldn't have to worry so long as you check temps every day or at least once a week. Herpstats are my main recommendation for thermostats, but if you don't have the money, Hydrofarms/Jumpstarts work in a pinch. I wouldn't recommend them as longterm thermostats though, as they aren't as reliable and the ON/OFF can create a wild variance in temps by as much as 5+ degrees. Last year I had a Jumpstart fail me, the red warning light was on and it was telling me that the temp had exceeded the built in safety feature, but the Jumpstart never shut off power to the heat tape. Temp gun read 125F, and I threw away that thermostat. Now everyone are hooked up Herpstats.

I use garden wire to hook through the vent holes of the lamp and then hook that through the mesh It's pretty sturdy, and I never have to worry about accidentally tipping things over.

Skip heat lamps and get a pvc cage with a radiant heat panel. Much safer, doesn't kill your humidity, more controllable also. I'm not a fan of heat lamps for the same reason, seen too many fires, accidental burns/melted stuff, exploding/shorted out ones. Nope.

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Originally Posted by GoingPostal

Skip heat lamps and get a pvc cage with a radiant heat panel. Much safer, doesn't kill your humidity, more controllable also. I'm not a fan of heat lamps for the same reason, seen too many fires, accidental burns/melted stuff, exploding/shorted out ones. Nope.

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Can you give me a quick breakdown of pvc cages and how it all works ? Because like the OP I’m leaning towards that set up.

All you need is radiant heat underneath and it does enough for the temps?

I think its a Glass tank thats being used peeps. A RHP isn't a great answer for it if thats whats being used right now. Yes I've installed a RHP over the top of a 33 Long aquarium, covered 1/2 with Plexi glass over the screened lid and had the RHP screwed to the screened lid but it isn't a great setup at all. Its a pain to take the lid off when the RHP & wires are hooked to it etc..The easiest thing would be a 2nd UTH In my opinion not to mention the cheapest and quickest since all the snake has is a Hot Hide right now.


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I never see you guys in the US using ceramic heat emitters. We use them a lot in the UK, maybe you could try one of those with a suitable guard.

Rhp mounts to the ceiling and then you have heat tape under for belly heat. I'm ordering my t10 next week. Nothing gets hot enough to burn anything. I think that would really ease your anxiety. Animal plastics.com

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Originally Posted by Starscream

I use garden wire to hook through the vent holes of the lamp and then hook that through the mesh It's pretty sturdy, and I never have to worry about accidentally tipping things over.

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I forgot about this. You're a genius!

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Originally Posted by Valaryan

I never see you guys in the US using ceramic heat emitters. We use them a lot in the UK, maybe you could try one of those with a suitable guard.

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I love them for the right set-up, but I dont use Glass Tanks anymore.. As far as their fear, a heat lamp and CHE use the same housing which is what is making them nervous.
I use to use a CHE for cool ambient and UTH for hot hide. Works great.


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I use CHE I also recommend them to people at work who use glass tanks.

Thank you all for your great replies.
Yes-I have a glass tank. RHP seem great, but they are a bit too pricey for me. I like the idea of the garden wire, however i'm a bit nervous of the wire also heating up. I am using a 150W CHE currently. I also like the idea of the second UTH, but I'd be concerned about the humidity. I may use the hook idea, only issue is that I'll have no idea how long ill need it to be to reach over the top of tank.

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Originally Posted by FlipsideRuffian

Thank you all for your great replies.
Yes-I have a glass tank. RHP seem great, but they are a bit too pricey for me. I like the idea of the garden wire, however i'm a bit nervous of the wire also heating up. I am using a 150W CHE currently. I also like the idea of the second UTH, but I'd be concerned about the humidity. I may use the hook idea, only issue is that I'll have no idea how long ill need it to be to reach over the top of tank.

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The garden wire is made of metal, and from my observations doesn't get hot to the touch, just about skin temperature.

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Originally Posted by FlipsideRuffian

Thank you all for your great replies.
Yes-I have a glass tank. RHP seem great, but they are a bit too pricey for me. I like the idea of the garden wire, however i'm a bit nervous of the wire also heating up. I am using a 150W CHE currently. I also like the idea of the second UTH, but I'd be concerned about the humidity. I may use the hook idea, only issue is that I'll have no idea how long ill need it to be to reach over the top of tank.

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Mesure from the Lid up. You can buy a roll of it for $5. Then just cut off what you need. If its to long pull some threw and snip it.


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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

Can you give me a quick breakdown of pvc cages and how it all works ? Because like the OP I’m leaning towards that set up.

All you need is radiant heat underneath and it does enough for the temps?

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If you use a heat panel, it should be mounted to the ceiling. RHPs are enough heat by themselves, they provide both belly heat and ambient heat. They work by heating the objects below them, which then radiate heat off into the air. Which is actually much closer to the way the sun heats than heat tape/UTH, is more easily absorbed by snakes than the belly heat coming off of UTH/tape alone, and isn't impacted by cooler room temps as much as UTHs/heat tape.

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Originally Posted by CloudtheBoa

If you use a heat panel, it should be mounted to the ceiling. RHPs are enough heat by themselves, they provide both belly heat and ambient heat. They work by heating the objects below them, which then radiate heat off into the air. Which is actually much closer to the way the sun heats than heat tape/UTH, is more easily absorbed by snakes than the belly heat coming off of UTH/tape alone, and isn't impacted by cooler room temps as much as UTHs/heat tape.

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Do most of the suppliers of these enclosures offer this already set up prior to purchase ?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

Do most of the suppliers of these enclosures offer this already set up prior to purchase ?


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RHPs have to be purchased separately, the only two companies in the US (not sure of your country of residence) I know of are Reptile Basics and Pro Products. Some PVC enclosure companies may let you order your RHP and have it sent to them for installation, but they don't have the panels on hand themselves. If that's inconvenient, it's a simple matter to install them yourself. Just drill a hole for the wire and screw the panel to the top of the enclosure. If you order from Animal Plastics, they can make a hole and a channel at the top of the enclosure, so all you have to do is thread the wire through. I haven't bought from any other company before, so not sure how other companies may handle it. The other good thing about AP is their cages can be sent not pre-assembled, so it shouldn't be as much of a pain to install the panel vs if you had to climb inside and screw it into place that way.