My kindergarten science teacher had a 2 foot corn snake that was our class pet. This corn snake was so human friendly, it was very, very old. I held it numerous times and being 5 years old that says a lot. Unfortunetly a student decided to attack the snake and pulled its tail and the snake repeatedly tried to get away and warningly hissed. Finally it bit the kid and the parents demanded the snake be put down. It was put down a few weeks later after a brief court battle. I would hardly even call it a bite, it was more like a light snip on the finger to tell him to not do it again. Their was no blood. But yes in my little experience, corn snakes are safe.