Certain precautions should be taken to make sure a bird's environment is safe and secure. To start with, be sure that the bird's wings are clipped and that it is never left outside of its cage unsupervised. Also, the areas that the bird has access to should be free of potential hazards.

In the event that a bird becomes seriously ill or injured, veterinary assistance should be sought immediately.

Below is a list of some common household hazards.

Other Animals
Cats and dogs are instinctively predatory animals. It is dangerous to assume that your cat or dog would never do anything to harm your bird, no matter how well behaved the animal is. They are larger and stronger and can seriously injure or kill a bird in the blink of an eye. Cats are especially dangerous due to bacteria that are common to them but deadly to birds. A small scratch or bite can lead to infection and death if left untreated.

Beds
Never sleep with your bird. You may move while asleep and smother or crush your bird. Whenever your bird is out of its cage, you need to be mindful of where it is at all times and when it's time for bed, the bird should sleep in its cage.

Ceiling Fans
It's a good practice to make sure the fans are off when your bird is out of its cage. A clipped bird can molt in new feathers before you realize it and fly right into the rotating blades of a ceiling fan causing serious injury or death.

Drowning
Toilets, jacuzzis, pools, and buckets of standing water can all pose potential drowning hazard. 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.

Feet and Floors
Some birds like to get down on the floor to roam and do a little exploring. First and foremost, watch where you walk if your bird likes to wander. Secondly, be mindful of the things a bird might get into. From a bird's eye view, the chewing possibilities are endless, 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 and Windows
Countless numbers of birds have flown out 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. Wing clippings need to be maintained.

Teflon and Toxic Fumes
A variety of products can emit fumes that are dangerous or deadly to a bird's delicate respiratory system.

Teflon can be found on a variety of products from non-stick cookware to ironing board covers and once heated to 500°, or sometimes even lower temperatures, it will emit fumes that are deadly to birds. Other products, including self-cleaning ovens, aerosol sprays, cleaners and disinfectants can also be hazardous. These products should be used with care in homes that include birds.

Toys
Many birds have been injured or killed as a result of dangerous toys or from toys that were not suitable for the size of the bird.

Harmful Plants & Trees