I woulod also like to add (Unless I missed it in a previous post) that you shouldnt mess around in the tank near your Snake when its in shed, thats how I got my first bite...he had his full eyecaps and I didnt notice right away, its my first Snake so Im learning.
I agree with the others about the cat scratch, I would rather get bit by my BP than scratched or bit by my cat anyday!
And also I agree about feeing in the cage, it seems almost everyone here feeds them that way and have no issues, I am also an in tank feeder. I feed every 10 days and I dont mess with him around feeding time either so he dont mistake my hand for his meal. Tomorrow is feeding day..yay, means hes gonna poop again in a few days, ugh, lol.

I would also have your mom read some of these posts, might help put her mind at ease over a little snake bite.