Home Hazards Revisited

About a month ago, I posted a general overview of some of the dangers that lurk in our homes this time of year. I'd like to take the next few weeks and go over our homes, room by room, to look for the dangers that our birds face in each and every room. Next week, we'll begin with the bedroom or den, then move into the bathroom, the kitchen or dining area, and finally end up in the living room. It takes time to be able to determine what might be a danger for our birds, especially since the "logic" of our feathered children can seem flawed at times. Hopefully this article will provide some insight into that logic and tips for keeping a hazard-proof home.

First, what exactly is a household danger? As silly as this question may seem, it can be difficult to decipher. After all, that space behind the shelves in the living room doesn't look menacing, nor does the skillet sitting in the dish drainer. Yet, under the right circumstances, those items can be deadly to your pet bird.

A household hazard is anything, directly or indirectly, that can hurt your pet bird. A bird can fall into the space behind the shelves and become trapped, causing injury or death. The skillet, when heated, can emit toxic fumes or burn your bird, should it land on it. Clearly, we cannot remove everything that can harm our birds from the environment, anymore than you can protect a toddler from falls. Like children, birds seem to be able to hurt themselves on the darndest things, but as good parents we can protect our charges the best way we can.

One of the easiest things you can do at this moment is to go through your entire house, top to bottom. Start on your hands and knees. Crawl around the room, and look for possible dangers. Aside from the obvious -- getting stepped on -- birds can find other things on the floor on which to injure themselves. Then, go through the mid-level of the room. What's there? The ceiling? Look with the eyes of an innocent who knows nothing of our human world.

If you don't have children, you may wish to invite your parents, or a friend with small children over to have them look at "child proofing" your home. Finally, watch your bird when it is outside its cage. Are there any areas where your bird tends to stay? If so, what's in that area that it can get into trouble with?

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