Is it safe for my 10 year old child to pet a turtle?

The FDA advise that turtles are common carriers of salmonella. Infection with the latter can be serious, especially in children, the elderly or those with a weak immune system. It is essential that any child is supervised with a turtle and be vigilant for the child putting a finger in their mouth, or even touching their hair (as the salmonella could be transferred to hair which the child then sucks.) If you want to be totally safe then a 10-year old should not pet a turtle, but at the very least ensure they wash their hands afterwards and don't put anything in their mouth.