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Question: My son is dying to have a snake or lizard. He just turned 9, and I have no doubt he’ll be able to care for a pet. I won’t have a snake in my house, but I could see a lizard. My concern is with our pre-school daughter. I know there have been concerns with turtles in the past. Can we have a lizard safely? — W.D., via e-mail

Answer: Because most, if not all, reptiles carry salmonella in their digestive tracks, these pets are generally not recommended for homes with children under 5 or with family members whose immune systems are compromised.

Talk to your pediatrician about your concerns regarding salmonella and your young daughter. It may be a good idea to wait a year or more before indulging your son with his desire for a pet reptile.

Once your pediatrician gives the go-ahead, the risks of owning a reptile (or any pet) can be greatly reduced with proper handling and care. The

Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians suggests these basic safety precautions for reptile owners of any age:

• Wash hands with soap and hot water after handling reptiles or after cleaning reptile enclosures.

• Limit the part of your home that your reptile is allowed to be in, and wash your hands after being in that area.

• Never allow reptiles in areas of the home where food is prepared. Don’t share food or drink with reptiles, and don’t eat, drink or smoke while handling them. Don’t kiss these pets, no matter how cute you think they are.

• Do not put reptiles into bathtubs or sinks. Buy a separate tub for bathing these pets. Pour the water down the toilet, and do not use sinks or bathtubs to clean the reptile bathing tub — or any reptile housing or gear.

• Supervise older children to be sure they don’t touch the pets and then put their fingers in their mouths. Make sure thorough hand-washing follows each exposure to these pets.

The ARAV stresses that the precautions do not mean reptiles shouldn’t be kept as pets, but rather that by following basic common sense in handling them, the potential for human health problems can be kept to a minimum.