Someone recently found the blog by searching for this question, and I thought that it was important enough to address here.
Sometimes heat bulbs can get too hot and burn reptiles – chameleons are notorious for sitting near bulbs that are burning them, so it’s important for the owner to take steps to ensure that the reptile won’t be burned, because you can’t count on the reptiles to protect themselves.
1. Make sure that you are using the right type of heat bulb and fixture.
Certain fixtures, especially those with reflectors, can increase the amount of heat that is being given off.
2. Measure the amount of heat given off at the bulb, and at the closest distance to the bulb that the reptile can get too after the bulb has been on for awhile.
3. Each time you change brands and watts of bulbs, measure again. Different bulbs can give off different amounts of heat.
You might want to measure each time you change a bulb, even if it is the same wattage and brand as what you’ve been using.
4. Make sure the temperatures are right before you put the reptile in the cage.
Yes that means that the cage has to be set up for a day or two before you bring the reptile home, but his safety is worth it, isn’t it?
5. If your reptile does get burnt, move the bulb farther away from the reptile, or try a bulb with lower watts.
You may need to play around with it for a while to find the settings that are right for you, but make sure that you’re reptile doesn’t get burnt again while you are doing this.
Your reptile may need to see a vet to make sure that infection doesn’t get into the wound.
If you have any tips on how to keep your reptile from getting burned by it’s heat bulb, leave a comment and let me know.
Northern Lights Reptiles 
We guard many bulbs too to stop animals physically burning themselves. Always use guards on ceramic bulbs and on any bulbs used in snake vivariums. I agree with chameleons climbing and would certainly guard their spot bulbs too. I usually find basking bulbs with animals that don’t climb are usually safe and can be left unguarded.
Great blog site btw
.-= Gary´s last blog ..Lyndsey Wins Our Spider & Scorpion Setup =-.
Hi Gary, that’s a great point, and one that I didn’t think about since we don’t keep our bulbs in the cages witih our reptiles.
The guards will keep the animals from touching the bulbs, but animals can still get burns without actually touching the bulbs, which is something I didn’t know before I started researching chameleons.
Thanks for sharing your advice with us!
I also use bulb guards for any heat or even light bulbs I use with my exotics. Doesn’t seem worth the risk not to use them when they can be bought so cheaply.