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Holiday Cooking Warnings

© Mary Wilson

It's the day before Thanksgiving, and most of my coworkers wandered out of work talking about slaving over a lavish dinner tomorrow. They spoke of getting up early, working with their families over food, and then eating leftovers until they took on a life of their own. When asked if I were cooking, I shook my head. I might make up a batch of mashed potatoes, but a Thanksgiving seat in front of the computer probably means that I will eat microwave popcorn instead of the traditional dinner.

However, even if I do splurge on making those mashed potatoes, I think of the dangers inherent in the common ritual of cooking a dinner.

Instead of a roasting pan, today's turkeys bake in Oven Bags which simplify the clean-up and provide a jucier turkey in the long run. However, these bags are coated with chemicals to make the cleaning easy, and something as innocent as a holiday turkey can cause the death of a beloved bird. Reynolds Oven Bags have been linked with the deaths of family parrots. While they cook, the chemicals on the bag emit fumes which are toxic to our sensitive birds.

The gravy stirring in the skillet hides dangers too. Teflon coated pans give off fumes when overheated. Scorched Teflon has been linked to the deaths of many parrots because of the fumes.

When the dinner is over and the kitchen is cleaning, a self-cleaning oven, which is also coated with Teflon and associated chemicals, also gives off fumes that can be harmful to birds.

If the pet bird is out, watch out for any uncovered pots, glasses, or punch bowls, and likewise, any candles or open flames.

In fact, while the dinner is being cooked and eaten, it might be best for your pet bird to remain in its cage. The bustle and noise of a holiday gathering might startle the bird, and many family members don't know how to handle a pet parrot. Such misunderstandings might result in a bite, which wouldn't help the holiday spirit.

It may seem that all these things have been said before, but this year more so than in the past, the holidays need to be a time of peace and joy. If repeating these warnings helps to save the holidays from the loss of a precious parrot, then the redundancy is worth it.

Happy Thanksgiving from the feathered, furred, and the human at my house!

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