by Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 17/97) - If a pet is on your wish list this Christmas, there are a few tips you should know, especially if there are young children in the house.

Choosing the right pet for your children and maintaining proper supervision may ensure an injury-free holiday, says deputy fire chief Mike Lowing.

"Supervision is a key issue for young children and teaching your children to handle animals gently and recognize signs of aggression in a pet," says Mike Lowing.

Here are a few tips to follow this Christmas:

• Pets can be jealous, watch animals closely.

• Keep pet food and toys away from children.

• Train dogs to obey simple commands from all family members.

• If you're looking for a dog, choose one with a calm, patient temperament. Spaying or neutering a dog may reduce aggressive behavior.

• If it's a cat you want, keep their nails trimmed short and keep litter boxes away from children's reach.

• Small mammals such as hamsters, guinea pigs gerbils and rabbits should be handled with care. They tend to nip and bite and are not recommended for young children.

• Fish tanks should be out of children's reach to prevent from being pulled over.

• Turtles, snakes, lizards and salamanders are not recommended. Turtles can transmit salmonella bacteria.

• Occasionally, pets can cause other health problems. Psittacosis is an infection carried by some birds which may cause pneumonia in people. Dogs and cats may carry ringworm infections or parasites. Cats may also carry toxoplasmosis, an infection which can harm human fetuses. Therefore, women should avoid exposure, especially cat feces in litter boxes.

• Parents should teach children not to disturb a sleeping animal, tease an animal, pull on an animal's ears, take away a pet's food, put their fingers on the face near a dog's mouth or try to stop animals that are fighting.