you're heat pad should never get hot enough for you to really feel it, much less burn the snake. If so, then you need to look into a dimmer/rheostat for it, or even better a thermostat. They sale them at petstores. You need to get you a thermometer and see how hot that place is getting if you can feel it through the glass. Once you get that dimmer and get your temps right, you shouldnt have to worry about burns.