Coco husk works fine. I actually like to use it with my tortoise because I can grow grass seeds right in it!
It is nice because it can get wet/humid etc and not mold. It works well for keeping an enclosure humid to help aid shedding and whatnot.
Only thing I find is that when it is bone dry...it gets very dusty, youll be wiping down glass/plastic tubs quite often if you care to be able to see inside them without a brownish powder coat on it. As far as safety concerns go...its very safe.