only sleeping

Eating: Nothing
Drinking: Dasani raspberry flavored water
Watching Mean Girls

Fact: When overheated, Teflon pans can emit toxic fumes that are lethal to birds.
Fact: The temperature at which the Teflon will release these fumes is 536 F.
Fact: That's a lot of overheating.

Yes, I own a bird. Yes, I still cook with Teflon. I'm aware of the danger, but I'm also aware of how to avoid it- therefore, I'm not terribly worried about inadvertently killing my bird. Maybe this makes me a terrible pet owner, but honest to god, I'm not in the habit of letting random pans overheat, on my stove. I have never actually let a pan overheat, mostly because I'm obsessive/compulsive when it comes to cooking. No pots or pans are ever left unattended for any length of time. The only thing that gets left on the stove that I do not constantly hover over until it's finished cooking is my stock pot when I'm making soup, and that contains absolutely no Teflon. (and the burner is always on simmer, never higher than that)

I honestly don't understand people who pitch every pan in the house that might contain a trace of Teflon. Call me crazy, but it's almost like they're admitting that they're completely incapable of being careful.

"Hello, I'm a dumbass, and if left to my own devices, I will surely kill my bird with my own stupidity."

Yes, there's a thing called simple human error. Mistakes can happen. But eradicating every trace of Teflon from your home? Well, first of all, I doubt that the people screaming the loudest that THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR THE SURVIVAL OF YOUR BIRD are actually *doing* this. There's Teflon in almost every oven. The drip pans on your stove are made of Teflon. Obviously, both of these things are capable of overheating. But all we hear about is how it's vital to replace your pots and pans with stainless steel, enamel, or cast iron. Because if the pots and pans are replaced, the drip pans and the oven will magically not cause any problems!

And don't forget the fact that butter, cooking spray, and oil- if overheated- will emit toxic fumes capable of killing your bird just as quickly as Teflon fumes.

I'm all for keeping my pets safe. I'm also all for taking some personal responsibility for your actions.

"My grandmother left a pan on the stove all day, and her birds both died! Oh, it was so sad!"

First of all, what was the old bat doing, leaving a pan on the stove ALL DAY LONG?? And while it's sad that her birds died, she's goddamn lucky that she didn't burn her entire house down. See, people- there are dangers involved with cooking that extend BEYOND the safety of our little feathery friends. If you cannot remember to take a pan off the stove, or you are incapable of making sure it doesn't overheat...then maybe you shouldn't be setting foot in your kitchen, ever again.

"What if there's an emergency in the other room! What if there's an earthquake!"

Ummm...ever heard of turning the stove off? Really, it only takes a second! You just reach over, and turn the knob. Then you can scamper off to see to your emergency, or...do whatever you do in case of an earthquake.

I just have no patience for people who cannot even *try* to be responsible for their actions.

If that wasn't already glaringly obvious.