FIRES IN THE FIREPLACE: Enjoy the warm glow of a winter fire but be sure to keep the fire color additives away from your birds. Your fireplace and chimney need to be clean, vented with an open damper and a protective screen. Be careful what you burn. Manufactured Logs often contain lead or arsenic. Never burn wrapping paper or pressure treated wood.

BATHING: Turning on our furnaces often leads to dry air. Dry air can mean dry skin and dry breathing passages for our pet birds. Try to keep the humidity up near your birds. And be sure they can bathe frequently

DRAFTS: Make sur to check windows and doors for drafts. Birds can handle lower temperatures, but a cold draft can make your bird very ill.

TEFLON HEATERS & APPLIANCES: More and more manufacturers are using teflon in their appliances. These include heaters, lamps, teflon coated bulbs, irons, stove top burners, griddles, hair dryers, etc. When teflon is heated it gives off poisonous fumes which can quickly kill. Recent reports indicate that teflon fumes are generated at temperatures as low as 285 degrees. There have also been reports that using multiple appliances at the same increases the amount of teflon fumes in the air.

Many of us use space heaters to warm those extra cold areas in our homes. In winter we also use more lamps and bulbs. And of course the windows are closed, reducing ventilation. Teflon fumes are carried on air currents, so a bird does not have to be in the room to be affected. Before you buy appliances, read the labels and purchase the non-teflon brands. Check the electrical appliances you already own. DON'T use teflon near your birds.

HALOGEN LAMPS:If you do use halogen lamps, be sure to supervise your birds when they are out as they are very hot and can burn your bird if he lands on it.

POWER OUTAGES: Winter storms can bring power outages. Plan for emergencies. How will you keep your birds warm, feed them and provide light if you lose power? In dire emergencies how will you evacuate your home? Inexpensive backup power supplies are available. Keep carriers, heating pads, prepared food packets and bottled water available for quick access.