7 Household Dangers to Avoid

Proud parents of a newborn baby know their child is dependant upon them for protection from the dangers of the human world. The human world presents all sorts of dangers to our birdie babies too. Because of their natural curiosity and high energy level, virtually anything can become a dangerous game to pet parrot. So caution is required.

Following is a list of things that pose a serious threat to your pet. While these things need not be eliminated from the home, a little forethought and common sense will go a long way in preventing a tragedy.

• Other animals, cats, dogs, ferrets, other birds. Never leave your parrot out of its cage with a predatory animal or larger bird.
• Small children who are not educated as to the proper way to handle a bird. Children must be instructed as to handling birds and should be closely supervised. What will they do if the bird flies to the floor, bites, or jumps on their shoulder and startles them? Eager children can easily hurt a small bird.
• Open containers of water, pots, pans, toilets, tubs, sinks. These all pose a drowning or scalding threat. It is advisable to cover open water sources or keep your bird confined when using them, such as when cleaning or cooking.
• Hot surfaces or open flames, such as kitchen stoves, candles, wood burning stoves or fireplaces.
• Open windows and doors. These can lead to escapes, even birds with clipped wings can be caught up and carried away by the wind.
• Ceiling fans when turned on are a death trap for a flying bird. Several people have told me that their bird knows how to fly around the fan or under it. Sadly these birds do not ALWAYS go around the fan. It is much safer to leave the ceiling fan off when your pet is out of its cage.
• Accidental crushing, getting stepped, sat, rolled or leaned on. Never let your bird walk around on the floor, it is too easy not to see them.