That's among the pieces of advice public health officials are offering as warm weather and outside recreation brings a new round of rabid animal sightings. This year's 166 reports of rabid animals in North Carolina cover mostly raccoons, but also include skunks, foxes, cats, dogs, a cow, a coyote and a bat.

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH CATCHING A BAT?

"If people wake up with a bat in their bedroom, the bat may have bitten them and they might not ever realize it because the bite is so small,"said Carl Williams, state public health veterinarian.

"Don't grab it with bare hands -- put a box over it and somehow cover it."

The next step is to call a city or county animal control office, which will pick the animal up for testing.

WHAT ANIMAL IS MOST LIKELY TO CARRY RABIES?

The raccoon. More than 100 raccoons have tested positive in 2008. People in southern Wake County heard a warning Monday to look out for animals with rabies after a case of the disease was confirmed in a raccoon.

WHAT STEPS SHOULD PEOPLE TAKE TO AVOID RABID ANIMALS?

"The take-home message is to get your animals vaccinated," said Michael Williams, Wake County's director of animal control.

OTHER TIPS:

* Get a booster vaccine for outside pets and don't let them roam unattended.

* Stay away from wildlife, especially during the daytime.

* Keep outside trash or food in a can with a tight-fitting lid.

* Call a veterinarian immediately if a pet comes in contact with an animal that might be rabid.

WHAT SHOULD SOMEONE DO AFTER A BITE FROM AN UNKNOWN ANIMAL?

Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water and call a doctor or a public health department.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

* N.C. Division of Public Health: (919) 707-5900

Online: www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/rabies.html

* National Center for Infectious Diseases: (800) 232-4636

Online: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies