Aside from obvious household dangers such as ceiling fans and electric kitchen appliances, both large and small birds are extremely vulnerable to toxic fumes and other kinds of environmental poisoning. Household cleaners, paints, alcohols and a wide range of other substances can kill your bird.

If you allow your bird to fly free, even occasionally, thorough house-proofing is an essential step. Remember, she can reach almost every area of the house, including some you can't get to yourself! It's also very important to make sure her cage doesn't contain materials that may be hazardous to her health.

Prior to taking your bird home, run through the Bird in the Cage Checklist. Print the Flying Free Bird Checklist and post it next to her cage. Examine it each time you let her out to make sure your house is safe for your bird. This is an especially good practice for the younger members of the family.

Inside her cage, did you remember to:

1. Check your cage material to ensure that it is free of lead and zinc, as these heavy metals are highly toxic for birds?
2. Make sure the cage is large enough so your bird can flap her wings without hitting the sides?
3. Make sure she can't slide her head through the bars - and risk getting it stuck?
4. Make sure her cage is corrosion-resistant, as rust can be very dangerous?
5. Place your bird's cage in a bright area but away from direct sunlight?
6. Place your bird's cage away from drafts and air conditioning vents?
7. Make sure the room has a constant temperature as birds acclimate well to average household temperatures? (However, avoid extreme temperature fluctuations.)
8. Use only non-chemically treated wood inside the cage for perches and chewing toys?
9. Ensure that water and food dishes are not placed under perches?
10. Place your bird's cage in an area where she won't be frightened or harassed by other pets?
11. Disinfect your bird's cage to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria?
12. Avoid foods that are safe for us but toxic for birds, including avocados, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine and fruit seeds?
13. Ensure you have provided a variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and prevent arthritis?

Outside her cage, did you remember to:

1. Close all windows and doors?
2. Hang decals in front of mirrors and curtains on windows to prevent your bird from flying into them?
3. Store knives, small glass and plastic items or other sharp, shiny objects safely?
4. Give a room that has been sprayed with chemicals ample time to clear up before re-introducing your bird?
5. Turn off any ceiling or other fans?
6. Check for objects within your bird's reach that are zinc, lead or other toxic metal based such as fishing weights, stained glass, metal toys and costume jewelry?
7. Make sure dishwashers, ovens and other appliances are shut to prevent your bird from flying into them?
8. Block off your fireplace or chimney?
9. Remove any dangerous plants?
10. Keep all household cleaners and chemicals such as hairspray, bleach, aerosol sprays, felt pens, nail polish, bath perfumes, etc., out of harm's way?
11. Avoid turning on your stovetop or boiling water while your bird is out of her cage?
12. Avoid using the self-cleaning feature of your oven, as this can be extremely dangerous for your bird?
13. Avoid coated, non-stick cookware, as these can give off fumes that are deadly for your bird?
14. Tuck all electrical wires out of the reach of your bird?
15. Keep all other pets out of the room when your bird is flying loose?
16. Close toilet lids?