While thinking
of getting a glider there are some things you need to keep in mind. If
you already have one you may want to make sure you have all possibilities
covered. I myself may miss a few things here, so it is important that you
look at each room as if you were a curious glider. Protect each room, even
if they only are allowed in one room, the possibility will always exist,
that they may escape. Never leave your glider unattended while they are
up playing.. Too many things can happen.
Rogers' experience
Things to Watch for and Possible
Solutions
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS/WIRES:
This by far is something that needs close
attention, some people say their gliders don't chew on electrical cords.
Mine, however; did try the coaxial cable cord when I first got them, so
I don't take any chances. The heart wrenching story of someone that woke
to find his glider fried from chewing the cord to his stove. The story
of a woman whose glider stuck their tongue in an outlet, all says that
it can and may happen. Take no chances, this by far is the worst way for
a glider to die. Child safety plugs for any unused outlets, some type of
protection for any exposed cords, or cords they may be able to get to.
I wiped each cord with Jalephano pepper juice, mine avoided them like the
plague, but I still watch them closely.
HEATING/AIR :
(baseboard
heaters, electric heaters, furnace vents, fans, humidifiers, air conditioners).
A good idea I got from someone is to take aluminum screening or hardware
cloth and place inside of each so all the holes are blocked, air flow can
still escape but the gliders can't. Also they can't get hurt.
CEILING FANS:
Some ceiling fans have holes up at the base, sometimes these holes are
just big enough for either the glider to get through or them to get their
head stuck. Be careful that when the gliders are up playing that the fan
has all power shut off to it. This was a favorite of my gliders to go to
and glider from, keep the tops of the blades clean so they don't get the
dirt/dust in their respiratory system.
HIDEAWAY BEDS/COUCHES/RECLINERS:
If
you have one of these and can't find your glider, DO NOT OPEN it. You may
get it stuck in the hinges. If at all possible be sure every opening is
blocked so they can't get into it.
FURNITURE:
Try to block the undersides with something, if there are gaps on the bottoms,
you may also want to try to block the top and side edges. On stands, dressers
and tv's, you may not want to keep anything that is sharp, pointed, or
breakable. On dressers and bedroom furniture, perfumes, cosmetics, medicines
etc. Watch for heating irons, blow dryers etc., that may be still be hot.
BATHROOMS:
Bathrooms
are great places to start the bonding processes for playtime.. It is small
and doesn't give them a lot of room to go anywhere, it teaches them to
come to you often, however; It is also one of the most dangerous places
for your glider to play. The standard procedure regarding the bathroom
in our house , and this is all the time, is to make sure all doors are
shut to the cabinets, make sure the toilet seat is down, make sure the
cold water is always turned off last, all razors and anything that may
harm the gliders is put away behind a closed door, and nothing is to remain
plugged in at any time. Under no circumstances any water left in the sink
or in the tub. Other things to keep in mind.. make sure each drain has
a screen or cover that the gliders can't get through, look under the sink
at the holes around the pipes, or possible holes in the walls. If there
is a gap under the sink cabinet doors you may want to place something across
there so they can't climb into it. Use child safety plugs for any unused
outlet, and be sure anything on the walls is secure with no sharp edges
or points. Check the gap between the toilet seat lid and the seat itself.
Someone had once made the suggestion to use a pizza pan in between them,
I, myself bought a seat that has a tight fit.
KITCHEN:
This is also one of the most dangerous rooms. It is so very hard to glider
proof a kitchen, almost next to impossible. the many places a glider can
get lost and stay lost. Pest control people usually put poisons under the
cabinets, and short of tearing the cabinets apart it is very hard to physically
retrieve one from under them. There are so many things that a glider, can
get injured on, in the kitchen. So many noises, smells, and dangerous spots.
Do the very best you can to proof this room. Mine, during play time isn't
allowed anywhere near the kitchen, We have a bamboo screen that we have
between the kitchen and living room so they don't have access to it. A
very good friend of mine made a window framed screen of vinyl coated wire
that she placed in an opening that looks very similar to a serving window.
WALL DECORATIONS:
knick
knacks are pretty, but gliders, as graceful as they look when they glide,
seem to be like a bull in a crystal store. They sometimes miss their target,
and when they run or jump, they don't care what is in their way. We have
all of our pictures hung with 2 nails so when they jump on the corner,
it doesn't tip or fall off. watch for sharp pointed objects, a cup of pens
may prove deadly to a glider. Hanging plants, will always get their attention,
be sure they are safe for them.
LAUNDRY ROOMS:
washers, dryers, and gliders don't sound like a great combination. The
dryer has a vent that leads right outside. The laundry Room scares me as
much as the bathroom or kitchen, I have heard where someone had lost their
glider and found it after do the laundry. They will curl up in your nastiest
smelling clothes and go to sleep. problem is when you go to wash the laundry,
you may not know it. The washer has drain pipes that they may think is
a real neat place to checkout..
These suggestions were sent to
me by others click on their name
Glider
Proofing
