I'm bringing my new friend home (a blue crowned conure) in about two weeks. I'm getting paranoid about teflon (my mom really likes her george foreman grill), and candles (she lieks those, too).

Are they really dangerous, or only if the bird is right nest to them (which he wont be, at all.)

I know flying into a lit candle, or hot wax is really dangerous, but I've also read stories of birds dying, and the possible cause being fumes.

???

scented candles have fume issues...then there is the wax itself. You dont realize it but the wax burns and goes into the air and has to go somewhere. Alot of churches for example cover their artwork because the wax can ruin the art. With birds it coats their feathers...sometimes plucking can be associated with ppl who burn candles in their homes.

teflon well there is lots of evidence that teflon is not only bad for birds its bad for the earth and humans too yet ppl wont change and quit using it....I guess if your mom wants to use her grill you could make sure the doors are closed so your bird stays safe.

I am sure others will have opinions on this stuff too.

So if he's in my room when she uses the grill, it won't hurt him??

would it be the same with the candles? (She usually just burns the candles in her room)

Not true Teflon kills and can kill every bird in the house no matter the size. So you can take your chances (I wouldn't) or better yet use the grill outside or get rid of it.
Or wait to get a bird when your on your own and get a fish or hamster instead.
I'm really not wanting to sound ugly but I killed my first quaker and a blue crown conure, as well as several breeder budgie cause I thought I would be safe.
Accidents happen and that stuff is an accident waiting to happen.
So for the birds sake and to prevent heart ache if you can't get your mom to throw that out wait on getting your new friend.

I dont use teflon myself for a multitude of reasons. I am quite angry at the amt of water contamination that has happened in the production of teflon for cookware in my state alone. I dont believe its safe.
Yet there are some that will argue that as long as you dont use a high heat its safe and others that will say well ppl who live in apts whose neighbors use teflon and it doesnt effect their birds but I sometimes wonder.
For me I like to err on the safe side and also I prefer stainless steel it just seems to cook food better.

What about candles though, will those be okay in the next room over?

I dont use candles at all. There are many things you can do instead. Like lemon/orange peel simmering on the stove in a SS pan. Or fresh mint. Or how about cleaning the house. lol
Also there are some bird safe candles out there. Cost more but if you must have a candle its the way to go.
Here is a link for scents. Scents

where could I get her some bird safe candles.

Also, she's a hung lavender fan. Can the smell of lavender hurt them, b/c the laundry detergent, bath gel, (candles), and she has dried lavender in vases in the kitchen and bathroom...

He wont ever be able to eat the plants or anything, but jsut the smell?

Hmm dont know about that one. But I do know perfume is bad I stoped wearing it years ago.

I don't wear perfume... my deodorent is scented... lol...

where to get the safe candles, though?

If you must use candles, try to use those with soy wax and cotton wicks. The others contain a petroleum base that will harm your birds when it's burned. Potpourri made from lemon and orange peels in simmering water is great as long as your bird can't get near the open water or heatsource. I have a soy candle that I use sparingly but prefer the more "natural" ways to scent the air. Someone will be along shortly to help you more. Connie, "Andie's Mom" has lots of experience with this and educated me a great deal. PM her if you get a chance and she'll steer you in a great direction. Good luck!

I believe the Bee's wax candles are safe, but you might want to check that one out... it doesn't smell like lavender though!

OK...here's what I've been told by my mentors... Petroleum based candles are bad, even if they have cotton wicks. Non cotton wicks are bad because they have a thin wire made from Zinc, zinc in its gaseous state is toxic to birds. The petroleum in candles causes a residue to form in the lungs and closes the air sacs so they don't process oxygen well enough and because their lungs are so small it doesn't take much to damage them. Also the coating that goes into their lungs also goes onto the feathers...when they preen they clean this residue off which again if ingested can be harmful.

I know that teflon or non stick coating that are heated over 500 degrees can be deadly not only to birds but to humans alike. Products that have a teflon coating such as waffle irons and G. F grills and coffee makers with a heating pad to keep your coffee warm etc. all contain teflon. Whether gases are given off below 500 degrees is questionable, some studies say yes, others say no...who do you believe? Its better to error on the side of safety

DISCLAIMER: I am not recommending that you do as I do or that what I do is correct! I am not a scientist and have not studied first hand the chemical break down I can only go by what I've read and been told and tried personally, I am in no way suggesting that what I do is 100% safe for everyone.

I can't honestly say I don't use teflon/ nonstick things because I do...but I always have an exhaust fan running and if the teflon surface gets scratched or damaged the product gets tossed. I have one very high quality pan that I occasionally use but again, the exhaust fan is on and the burner is never on high and the pan is NEVER left unattended. I also have a waffle iron that is non stick.. again the same cautions are used when I use it.So far, I've had no problems.

As has been mentioned putting on a simmering pot of spices will keep the house smelling nice, Hanging lavender fans is fine as far as I know and simmering it is as well. You can use rose hips and petals, Vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg, cloves, lemon, orange peel, Even sage and rosemary etc etc. is safe if its in a simmering pot. You can get the little electrical simmering pots that look like little crock pots to use just make sure that they are in an area that can't be accessed by your bird.

Soy based candles with cotton wicks or beeswax candles with cotton wicks as far as I know can still be used but again, I'd do it in a different room than the birds.

So that's all I know.

i LOVE burning candles or using plug-in air fresheners. it makes the rooms smell so nice BUT i love my birds more than i love the smell, so i've stopped using all candles.

it's better to be safe than sorry. i would be devestated if i hurt my birds when i knew there was a chance of it happening.

just my opinion!

Fresh lavender won't hurt them at all. I try to have fresh flowers (I prefer lavender too!) in my house every so often and it won't hurt the birds

I have a question about the airwick plug ins..I'm pretty sure I seen on a site someplace taht those too are bad for birds

Definitely. They emit harmful fumes that are poisonous for birds. Probably not good for our lungs either.

Back in the days before I knew anything about birds I had lots of candles. I still have those candles but I no longer light them. I have them out as decoration. They make for more stuff to dust, but they look nice. I don't use telfon. I've heard wayyy too many horror stories to risk it. If I were the type of person who's good at paying attention to things I might risk it, but I have A.D.D. and am likely to forget something on the stove... so no teflon.

ok great..i have a month to use em all up them LOL thanks

What about heat tools for hair (curling irons, straightners, etc?)

This should cover your questions.
Silent killer