How Safe Are Your Birds Around Your Home Gas
If you have a gas fireplace heater installed
in your home, you probably would have learned and practiced basic safety precautions while using your gas
fireplace. That's safetu for humans but what about pets specifically birds that some people keep in their homes.
Our review of this topic found an interesting article which shares how you can keep your bird safe if you decide to
use your fireplace.
Q: We were thinking about buying a natural gas, vent-free fireplace. Are these safe to use with birds in the
same room? We have a sun conure and a Hahn’s macaw. Your help is appreciated.
A: I usually receive questions from readers about the safety of fireplaces, wood stoves and heating appliances
during the winter, when people are pressured to make quick decisions due to severe weather. It’s spring, so
there’s plenty of time to make an educated choice before the next heating season. As with any appliance that
generates heat, some pre-purchase caution may ultimately save you and your bird’s life.
Prevailing opinion suggests that we do not house our birds in kitchens. Birds have sensitive and complex
respiratory systems and feel the effects of airborne pollutants and toxins faster than we do. Kitchens contain
temperature and humidity extremes as well as potentially harmful fumes from cooking and cleaning products.
Possible smoke from burning foods are common in kitchens and may also adversely affect birds.
Faulty fuel lines or pilot lights on gas stoves, possible emissions from cookware or appliance components
coated with nonstick polymers (polytetrafluoroethylene-PTFE) and preservatives add more ingredients to a
potentially deadly recipe.
Some birds live in or near kitchens with no ill effects. I have a friend whose caiques are kept in the same
room as a gas fireplace. Are these people lucky that their birds haven’t succumbed to fumes, or are they extra
vigilant when using gas and other appliances around their pets? Let’s explore our options:
The first thing to check when contemplating the purchase of a vent-free gas fireplace is whether building and
fire codes in your state and town permit home installation. Although many models are marketed to
do-it-yourselfers, it is advisable, and may even be required by building codes, that you have a licensed
plumber connect the gas line.
Is a gas fireplace less safe than your gas stove? The BTU output of a gas fireplace is greater than that of a
household gas stove, and therefore will deplete more oxygen than would the stove. Heat-generating devices
typically lower the humidity level in the home, but gas appliances may actually increase humidity to
Read full article here:
"According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) booklet, What You Should Know About Combustion
Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution, oxygen depletion sensors are required on unvented gas fireplace heaters
made after 1982. The sensor ...BirdChannel.com"
Buying a fireplace for the family needs some careful thinking like the size, vent free, heater price, location
and safety features. But you probably will need to consider a few other things if you now want to keep your pet
bird safe as the gas fireplace heater runs.