In response to Sandra's request for ferret proofing tips, here are the
following:
 
Notebooks and game and puzzle boxes with games and pieces still inside (for
weight) make good fillers for spaces ferrets should not get into.  For
instance, I stack 2 Trivial Pursuit games between each side of my
refrigerator and the wall.
 
Keep socks out of reach.  Ferrets like to chew socks which could block their
intestines.
 
Notify all other occupants of the house when ferrets are outside of their
cages so everyone will KNOW they need to be careful opening doors, using
recliners, walking around, etc.
 
If ferrets are visiting people who are not used to thinking like a ferret,
watch your ferrets closely when they are outside their cage and watch for
open doors, especially leading to balconies.  Educate others about possible
dangers.
 
Ferrets that like to drink from the pool sometimes fall in.  Before letting
them near the pool, give them a closely supervised swimming test.  ALWAYS be
nearby.  Ferrets can forget how to get out of the pool which they like to do
in a hurry.
[Posted in FML issue 2054]