Post by huronna on Oct 24, 2008 23:17:54 GMT -5
by Greta
Contributions by members of FERRET
Important information that we can all use.
Beds (underside__foundation)
Foam rubber and sometimes springs can be a hazard to your ferret. Cover bottom of foundation with plywood or tough fabric (stapled on).
Candles (lit)
A burning hazard to a ferret. Never leave a lighted candle unattended when your furkid(s) is/are around. Blow it out before leaving the room.
Chairs (overstuffed)
Ferrets can and will explore the bottoms and cracks of overstuffed chairs. Make sure the bottoms are well covered with artist's canvas or other tough fabric. Check before sitting down. Your ferret may be under a cushion.
Clothes hamper
The clothes hamper fascinates your ferret. Always check the soiled clothes before tossing them in the washer. Your ferret may be hiding in the load of clothes. Some hampers may have ventilation holes; watch that your ferret doesn't get caught in these.
Cold air vents: cover securely
From the air vent to the basement is a tempting slide for your ferret. Keep these vents well covered and secured to the wall/floor.
Doors
When leaving through a door leading to the outside, make sure your ferret isn't there to slip out unnoticed. Doors that are kept closed to prevent a ferret from entering an area should have no cracks underneath that your furkid can slip through.
Dryer (clothes) vent to outdoors
Ferrets have been lost by making their way outside through the clothes dryer vent. Make sure this vent is made of metal and tightly attached to your dryer. Check on your baby before closing the dryer door! Make sure he is not inside.
Electronic equipment
Ferret nails can get caught in the mesh of amplifiers. Arrange electronic equipment to prevent access by your ferret(s).
Falls from high places
Falls can result in injury to your furkid. Broken bones and internal damage to your baby are two worth mentioning. Keep a safety net or two attached to their condo. Take care to prevent your ferret from accessing high places.
Fans window and floor fans)
Another source of ferret fascination. Do not run an unprotected window fan or floor fan when your ferret is free roaming. Enclose the fan with ferret proof mesh or other effective material.
Ferret shuffle
Be careful where you walk when your ferret is loose. You may step on your baby. Most ferret owners are familiar with the 'ferret shuffle.' Scoot your feet across the floor.
Fireplaces
Fireplaces can result in burn injuries and even death to a ferret. Keep these tightly enclosed with fireplace glass protection. Even when not burning, your furkid could need a bath after playing in the ashes.
Fish tanks
Keep fish tanks covered securely at all times. Tape down the cover if it's easily accessible. The movement of fish is a call to your ferret. Splashing in all that water may be tempting too. Your ferret could fall in and drown.
Fumes:
Never paint or strip wood while your ferret is in the house. Never fumigate a room unless your ferret is out of the house. Ferrets respiratory systems are delicate and severe upper respiratory complications could result.
Furnace/boiler
Never allow your ferret access to the area around your furnace or boiler. There are often openings in these appliances your ferret would love to explore. Severe burns and even death could result.
Heavy objects that could fall on your ferret:
Keep heavy objects that could injure your ferret if they should fall in a location that is safe for your baby. Not on the lip of the bathtub or a sink where a fuzzy could access them.
Microwave
Free roaming ferrets will come a'running when they hear the beep of the microwave. (duck soup time!) Make sure they aren't under your feet to be stepped on when you open that microwave door.
Outside
When taking your ferret outdoors, keep a watch for predatory birds overhead. Dogs and other commonly seen animals can also pose a threat. Walk your ferret with an H_harness and a leash. Be prepared to pick him up at a moment's notice to protect him.
Ovens
Preheating ovens or those that are on bake or broil are dangerous burning hazards to your ferret. Keep your ferret out of the kitchen when the oven is in use.
Paper towel cardboard roller inserts
These are 'tubes' to your ferret. Tear these rollers apart before placing them in the trash. Asphyxiation and head injuries can result if your ferret gets its head caught inside one.
Plants (potted and hanging) Toxic plants
Ferrets love to dig. Keep your potted plants covered with strong mesh and heavy rocks to prevent a messy floor and a soil covered furkid. Certain plants are poisonous to ferrets. Keep these completely out of your ferret's reach. Keep hanging plants high enough to prevent your ferret from accessing them.
Razors, razor blades and razor blade refills
Bad cuts can result to your ferret's mouth if these are chewed on by your furkid. Cuts can result to their foot pads if razors or blades are stepped on by your fuzzy. Dispose of all razor blades and razor refills carefully. Keep your razor out of your ferret's reach.
Recliners
Recliners can be a death trap to ferrets. Disable the 'position change' function of your recliner to protect your baby. The inner workings of these chairs can trap a ferret around the neck, choking/crushing him to death.
Refrigerator
Always check for your ferret after opening the door to your refrigerator before closing it again. Your ferret may have climbed inside to explore. Keep your ferret away from underneath the fridge. There may be a fan under there than can mangle your little one.
Registers and radiators
Keep registers tightly attached to the wall or floor. Your ferret could climb inside and end up too near the furnace. Radiators need to be safely enclosed with strong wire screening (no larger than 1 1/4 inch screening) to prevent your ferret's accessing them. Ferret burns could result if your ferret contacts these when they are heated.
Remote controls (rubber buttons)
Rubber can result in intestinal blockages to your ferret resulting in possible surgery or even death. Many remote controls have rubber buttons. Keep these out of your ferret's reach.
Rubber
A real ferret hazard when chewed on and swallowed. Rubber can result in serious intestinal blockage in your ferret. Keep items such as rubber balloons, pencil erasers atop pencils, shoe inserts, rubber backing on throw rugs and rubber bands among other rubber things completely out of your ferret's reach.
Shoes/insoles
Some shoes have rubber soles and/or rubber insoles. A serious hazard when chewed on by your ferret. Keep your shoes, slippers and boots out of your ferret's reach.
Soaps
Soaps and cleansers can result in diarrhea and even poisoning to your ferret. Lock your cabinets with child safety locks. Keep bath soap well out of your baby's reach.
Sofas (overstuffed and hide_a_beds)
Upholstered sofas can provide an invitation to tunnel into the interior. The bottoms of couches may be accessible to your furkid. Cover the bottom with artist's canvas or other heavy fabric (or plywood). Fabric can be stapled at one inch intervals. Hide_a_beds have workings inside that can crush your ferret. Never open or close a hide_a_bed unless your ferret is caged. Remember... check before you sit. Don't sit n your baby.
Space heaters
Space heaters should not be turned on when your ferret is free roaming. Fatal burns to your ferret could result.
Stairs/upstairs
If your stairs are not carpeted, keep your ferret away from them. Make sure there are no spaces through which your ferret could fall. A thorough ferret proofing of the upstairs area needs to be done before your ferret is left to roam there unattended.
Stove (kitchen and wood burning)Keep your ferret away from the kitchen range and from any wood burning stove. Ferrets are climbers and can access the stove top easily where a severe burn could result. A ferret should never be allowed in the same room with a wood burning stove when it has fire inside.
Toilet lid down
Keep the toilet lid completely closed down when not in use. Your ferret may fall inside and drown. Mop pails filled with water are also a hazard.
Toilet paper cardboard rollers
A choking/strangling hazard to your ferret. Tear the cardboard rollers apart lengthwise before tossing them in the trash.
Trash cans
Keep those trash cans tightly covered. Your ferret could climb inside and end up in the dumpster. Many items thrown into the trash can, can be dangerous to your baby.
Vent covers
Secure all vent covers so your ferret can't access the inside of the vent.
Walls: cracks and small holes inYour ferret can slide his body through any opening large enough for its head to fit in. Get down on your hands and knees from a ferret's viewpoint to check for openings in woodwork, under cabinets and baseboards. Plug these openings with Dap or woodputty.
Windows (open)
Keep windows closed when your ferret is free roaming. Your ferret can
tear a hole in the screen and fall to the ground below. Do not depend on safety when opening a window from the top. If your baby should climb up the blinds or woodwork, he may fall between the windows.
Washing machine
Always check your laundry for your ferret before tossing dirty clothes into the washing machine. You don't want to give your baby a fatal bath
Contributions by members of FERRET
Important information that we can all use.
Beds (underside__foundation)
Foam rubber and sometimes springs can be a hazard to your ferret. Cover bottom of foundation with plywood or tough fabric (stapled on).
Candles (lit)
A burning hazard to a ferret. Never leave a lighted candle unattended when your furkid(s) is/are around. Blow it out before leaving the room.
Chairs (overstuffed)
Ferrets can and will explore the bottoms and cracks of overstuffed chairs. Make sure the bottoms are well covered with artist's canvas or other tough fabric. Check before sitting down. Your ferret may be under a cushion.
Clothes hamper
The clothes hamper fascinates your ferret. Always check the soiled clothes before tossing them in the washer. Your ferret may be hiding in the load of clothes. Some hampers may have ventilation holes; watch that your ferret doesn't get caught in these.
Cold air vents: cover securely
From the air vent to the basement is a tempting slide for your ferret. Keep these vents well covered and secured to the wall/floor.
Doors
When leaving through a door leading to the outside, make sure your ferret isn't there to slip out unnoticed. Doors that are kept closed to prevent a ferret from entering an area should have no cracks underneath that your furkid can slip through.
Dryer (clothes) vent to outdoors
Ferrets have been lost by making their way outside through the clothes dryer vent. Make sure this vent is made of metal and tightly attached to your dryer. Check on your baby before closing the dryer door! Make sure he is not inside.
Electronic equipment
Ferret nails can get caught in the mesh of amplifiers. Arrange electronic equipment to prevent access by your ferret(s).
Falls from high places
Falls can result in injury to your furkid. Broken bones and internal damage to your baby are two worth mentioning. Keep a safety net or two attached to their condo. Take care to prevent your ferret from accessing high places.
Fans window and floor fans)
Another source of ferret fascination. Do not run an unprotected window fan or floor fan when your ferret is free roaming. Enclose the fan with ferret proof mesh or other effective material.
Ferret shuffle
Be careful where you walk when your ferret is loose. You may step on your baby. Most ferret owners are familiar with the 'ferret shuffle.' Scoot your feet across the floor.
Fireplaces
Fireplaces can result in burn injuries and even death to a ferret. Keep these tightly enclosed with fireplace glass protection. Even when not burning, your furkid could need a bath after playing in the ashes.
Fish tanks
Keep fish tanks covered securely at all times. Tape down the cover if it's easily accessible. The movement of fish is a call to your ferret. Splashing in all that water may be tempting too. Your ferret could fall in and drown.
Fumes:
Never paint or strip wood while your ferret is in the house. Never fumigate a room unless your ferret is out of the house. Ferrets respiratory systems are delicate and severe upper respiratory complications could result.
Furnace/boiler
Never allow your ferret access to the area around your furnace or boiler. There are often openings in these appliances your ferret would love to explore. Severe burns and even death could result.
Heavy objects that could fall on your ferret:
Keep heavy objects that could injure your ferret if they should fall in a location that is safe for your baby. Not on the lip of the bathtub or a sink where a fuzzy could access them.
Microwave
Free roaming ferrets will come a'running when they hear the beep of the microwave. (duck soup time!) Make sure they aren't under your feet to be stepped on when you open that microwave door.
Outside
When taking your ferret outdoors, keep a watch for predatory birds overhead. Dogs and other commonly seen animals can also pose a threat. Walk your ferret with an H_harness and a leash. Be prepared to pick him up at a moment's notice to protect him.
Ovens
Preheating ovens or those that are on bake or broil are dangerous burning hazards to your ferret. Keep your ferret out of the kitchen when the oven is in use.
Paper towel cardboard roller inserts
These are 'tubes' to your ferret. Tear these rollers apart before placing them in the trash. Asphyxiation and head injuries can result if your ferret gets its head caught inside one.
Plants (potted and hanging) Toxic plants
Ferrets love to dig. Keep your potted plants covered with strong mesh and heavy rocks to prevent a messy floor and a soil covered furkid. Certain plants are poisonous to ferrets. Keep these completely out of your ferret's reach. Keep hanging plants high enough to prevent your ferret from accessing them.
Razors, razor blades and razor blade refills
Bad cuts can result to your ferret's mouth if these are chewed on by your furkid. Cuts can result to their foot pads if razors or blades are stepped on by your fuzzy. Dispose of all razor blades and razor refills carefully. Keep your razor out of your ferret's reach.
Recliners
Recliners can be a death trap to ferrets. Disable the 'position change' function of your recliner to protect your baby. The inner workings of these chairs can trap a ferret around the neck, choking/crushing him to death.
Refrigerator
Always check for your ferret after opening the door to your refrigerator before closing it again. Your ferret may have climbed inside to explore. Keep your ferret away from underneath the fridge. There may be a fan under there than can mangle your little one.
Registers and radiators
Keep registers tightly attached to the wall or floor. Your ferret could climb inside and end up too near the furnace. Radiators need to be safely enclosed with strong wire screening (no larger than 1 1/4 inch screening) to prevent your ferret's accessing them. Ferret burns could result if your ferret contacts these when they are heated.
Remote controls (rubber buttons)
Rubber can result in intestinal blockages to your ferret resulting in possible surgery or even death. Many remote controls have rubber buttons. Keep these out of your ferret's reach.
Rubber
A real ferret hazard when chewed on and swallowed. Rubber can result in serious intestinal blockage in your ferret. Keep items such as rubber balloons, pencil erasers atop pencils, shoe inserts, rubber backing on throw rugs and rubber bands among other rubber things completely out of your ferret's reach.
Shoes/insoles
Some shoes have rubber soles and/or rubber insoles. A serious hazard when chewed on by your ferret. Keep your shoes, slippers and boots out of your ferret's reach.
Soaps
Soaps and cleansers can result in diarrhea and even poisoning to your ferret. Lock your cabinets with child safety locks. Keep bath soap well out of your baby's reach.
Sofas (overstuffed and hide_a_beds)
Upholstered sofas can provide an invitation to tunnel into the interior. The bottoms of couches may be accessible to your furkid. Cover the bottom with artist's canvas or other heavy fabric (or plywood). Fabric can be stapled at one inch intervals. Hide_a_beds have workings inside that can crush your ferret. Never open or close a hide_a_bed unless your ferret is caged. Remember... check before you sit. Don't sit n your baby.
Space heaters
Space heaters should not be turned on when your ferret is free roaming. Fatal burns to your ferret could result.
Stairs/upstairs
If your stairs are not carpeted, keep your ferret away from them. Make sure there are no spaces through which your ferret could fall. A thorough ferret proofing of the upstairs area needs to be done before your ferret is left to roam there unattended.
Stove (kitchen and wood burning)Keep your ferret away from the kitchen range and from any wood burning stove. Ferrets are climbers and can access the stove top easily where a severe burn could result. A ferret should never be allowed in the same room with a wood burning stove when it has fire inside.
Toilet lid down
Keep the toilet lid completely closed down when not in use. Your ferret may fall inside and drown. Mop pails filled with water are also a hazard.
Toilet paper cardboard rollers
A choking/strangling hazard to your ferret. Tear the cardboard rollers apart lengthwise before tossing them in the trash.
Trash cans
Keep those trash cans tightly covered. Your ferret could climb inside and end up in the dumpster. Many items thrown into the trash can, can be dangerous to your baby.
Vent covers
Secure all vent covers so your ferret can't access the inside of the vent.
Walls: cracks and small holes inYour ferret can slide his body through any opening large enough for its head to fit in. Get down on your hands and knees from a ferret's viewpoint to check for openings in woodwork, under cabinets and baseboards. Plug these openings with Dap or woodputty.
Windows (open)
Keep windows closed when your ferret is free roaming. Your ferret can
tear a hole in the screen and fall to the ground below. Do not depend on safety when opening a window from the top. If your baby should climb up the blinds or woodwork, he may fall between the windows.
Washing machine
Always check your laundry for your ferret before tossing dirty clothes into the washing machine. You don't want to give your baby a fatal bath
