It is important to make sure proper temperatures are maintained at all times, as well as making sure your reptile cannot be burned by the heat source.
- Invest in a good thermometer.
- Regularly monitor the basking spot, warm side, and cool side of your terrarium to make sure the appropriate temperatures are consistently provided.
- Provide the proper nighttime temperatures.
- Make sure your reptile cannot contact or get too close to bulbs or ceramic heat emitters or serious burns could result.
- Prevent overheating.
- Ideally, invest is a thermostat, which measures the temperature in the tank and turns the heating equipment on or off as needed.
Satefy for Your Home: Avoiding Fire Hazards From Reptile Heat Sources
- Make sure proper receptacles are used for bulbs and heaters. Use receptacles rated for the size/wattage of bulb you are using, and use ceramic receptacles (higher heat tolerance) if indicated.
- Do not overload electrical circuits, power bars, or extension cords.
- Make sure your terrarium is safe for the heating you are using. For example, do not set heat lamps on plastic screen tops, or the top will melt.
- Make sure all flammable materials (e.g. artifical plants, other terrarium furnishings) are kept away from heat bulbs or emitters.
- Make sure your curtains, furniture, etc. are well away from heaters.
Run electrical cords safely (not under furniture or rugs) and watch for overheating. - Raise terrariums off the surface of the stand if using undertank heating.