Urgent Care :: RES and Kids

[Summitrun]

Hello,

I have found a juvenile RES at work in my warehouse. I can only imagine that it came from the creek that runs parrallel to our property. To the point, I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old. I have had turtles as a kid and know to wash my hands after I handle them. I guess I am being over protective but everything I read says it's not safe to keep aquatic turtles with children under 5. I just found this little guy Thursday and I have him in a small tank till I decide what I should do with him. I want to keep him so my kids can enjoy the childhood that I experienced. I have made it clear to my wife that the kids do not touch the turtle not even the tank he is in. Is this being safe enough or would it be best to release him in the creek I think he may have come from? I have been reading since Thursday on the care for a RES and feel that this is something I can and want to do. I have the space, time, and money but want to make sure I don't put my kids in a situation to get sick.

Thanks for any help you can give,

Jim

[Diamondbacks4Life]

As long as the kids arent touching the stuff used for the tank or the tank they are fine. Like you said just as they no stay clean around it they will be fine it wont hurt them. My brother's son has a turtle tank is his bedroom and he isnt 5yet. He knows not to touch the tank and is actually afraid to get to close to the turtle kinda funny but likes to watch it.

[Summitrun]

Thanks for the reply, makes me feel better knowing other folks have these for their kids.