Household Hazards

No handreared pet bird should be allowed out of their cage and left unsupervised. Birds that are allowed time to fly free in the house can find many hazards. Most birds are inquisitive by nature and if there is trouble to be found, it won't be long before they are knee deep in it. We thought it necessary to devote a page to this topic because there are far more dangers than just the obvious, which is where we'll start.
Windows: Don't leave em' open for starters (derrr). Sounds crazy I know but I've seen it happen (no, it wasn't me). When I decide to spend time with my bird I do a run around the house and shut all windows and doors. I shut all internal doors as well. Hazards are in every room of the house so the less rooms open for inspection, the better. Large uncovered windows or glass sliding doors offer a huge big view of the outside world and your feathered friend might be tempted to take a peek. "I'm freeeeeeeee"...thud! . Curtains stop this problem but can be expensive for large areas. A cheap way we found to bird proof our large glass doors was to use that 'sheer' curtain material. Its cheap, light weight and easy to hang, plus it lets in heaps of light. 
Ceiling Fans: If you have them installed in your house, don't forget to switch them off.
Household Plants: Many species of indoor plants are poisonous and birds love to chew plants. Which ones? I hear you ask. Don't know, lol. I use the following rule: "If in doubt, put it out". Hence there no indoor plants in our house.
Water: Baths, sinks, toilets, flower vase etc. Anything that holds water. Again, by closing internal doors you cut down a few of the water hazards.
Heat and Fire: These can be stove top hazards eg. boiling water, frying pan, toaster etc. Household heaters can be an issue, whether it be a bar heater, a slow combustion or even worse, an open fire.
Chemicals: Things like fly spray, flea bombs, cleaning products, exit mould, the list goes on. Teflon is a trap. Any appliance that uses a non-stick coating, gives off fumes when heated that will kill your bird. This includes irons and even some ironing-board covers contain it. We cover our birds for a quick squirt of fly spray (you can buy the gentle on the nose kind), anything else we are unsure of, simply carry the cage outside. Be sure to make sure the cage doors are secured first.
Electrical: Anything that plugs in to a power point and has an exposed lead could become a target for the mischievious pet bird.
 
Wow!! What a drama to let your feathered companion do a few hot laps of the loungeroom!!. Not really. All these hazards have been mentioned to raise awareness. As stated in the very beginning, supervision is the key to avoiding heartbreak . We have a gorgeous little handreared Quaker inside at the moment (among others). After closing all internal doors I get him out for a cuddle. He does some aerial acrobatics around the loungeroom and kitchen areas then comes back. I keep an eye on him as I work on the computer, no worries at all. If he goes for a lap and doesn't come back after a minute...I go and see what mischief he has found. Generally, the properly handreared and well socialised bird will do a lap or two and then come back and sit contently with it's keeper. 













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