SOME "COMMON SENSE" BUT OFTEN OVERLOOKED HOUSEHOLD HAZARDS - CONTINUED

DROWNING: Toilets, Jacuzzis, pools, fish tanks and buckets of standing water can all pose potential drowning hazards.  Even drinking glasses pose a threat to some smaller species of birds.  Once a bird falls into a container, it may be unable to extricate itself and drown.  Keep toilet lids closed, remove standing containers of liquids, and keep a close eye on your bird around pools and Jacuzzis.

ELECTRICAL CORDS: Aside from the possibility of being electrocuted, ingestion of the cords or wiring can have deadly results.  Be sure your bird's cage is positioned so that the bird will not be able to chew any hazardous materials through the bars.

ON THE FLOOR: Some birds like to get down on the floor to roam and do a little exploring.  If your bird likes to wander, watch where you walk.  Be mindful of the things a bird might get into.  From a bird's perspective, the chewing possibilities are endless, such as coffee table legs, the carpet, upholstery, and so on.

HOT SURFACES: Stove tops, open oven doors, toaster ovens, and pots of cooking food are all potentially dangerous and a bird can be badly burned if it lands in or on any of them.  Exposed light bulbs can also present a burning danger.  Halogen lamps are especially risky because the bulbs are open and unprotected and get very, very hot.

OPEN DOORS, WINDOWS & MIRRORS: Countless numbers of birds have flown out of open windows and doors never to be seen by their owners again.  Care should be taken whenever a bird is outside of its cage and a door or window is opened.  Windows and mirrors do not appear to be a barrier to flying birds. They may unwittingly proceed headlong into them, possibly causing severe injury or loss of consciousness. If your bird flies free, try to keep these surfaces covered.  If you want to prevent this type of injury it would be a good idea to keep the wings clipped.

SOME of the MANY SOURCES of INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

• Aerosol sprays; even pump sprays disperse droplets throughout your home

• Air fresheners - spray, solid, plug-in, powder

• Art supplies, glue, correction fluid

• Asbestos

• Carpet deodorizers - i.e.:  Carpet Fresh

• Cigarette smoke - Your birds lungs and air sacs are much more delicate than yours!

• Cooking fumes

• Dry cleaning chemicals

• Furniture polish (Use lemon oil instead)

• Heated, non-stick cookware and appliances such as Teflon®