Here are just a small list.  Your ferret he will help you find more things
to ferret proof, so very supervised out time for a while to see what they
get into.
 
Collars with bells - it helps to find them, to not step on them, to know
where they are when the door opens and helps you locate them if they get
out.  They are way too stealth like without a collar with a bell.  Just
make sure you keep it just loose enough to slide one finger between the
collar and their neck.  Remember each time they shed in the fall and
spring you will need to adjust the collar.
 
Always put the fuzzies in their cage or a closed off area when you have
guests, anyone coming or going and/or when you are not there.  Most people
will not be as vigilant about not letting them get out, not to mention
they just don't know what to do and most won't want to pick them up.
 
To restrict an area, buy a baby gate, cut a piece of thin wood or
something like that to fit the baby gate when it is in place, cut a couple
of holes in it and tie wrap it to the gate.  Then get a cardboard tube,
must be round, cut it to fit the width of the top of the gate, then cut
it lengthwise and open it up to cover the top of the baby gate.  That way
you can get in and out of the restricted area and the fuzzies cannot jump
and grab the top of the gate to hurl themselves over like Marines.
 
Childproof cupboards and drawers with child proof latches.  The long cheap
hook ones worked best for us.
 
Look under all the cupboards for any holes and close them off.  They =
will dig so something they cannot dig through.
 
Build something around the fridge and any free standing kitchen appliances
or baby gate the area to keep them out.
 
No access to garage
 
Keep toilet lids down always.  Someone on this list lost a fuzzie that
had dragged a towel into the toilet.  When the towel got wet the fuzzie
couldn't get out from under it and drowned.
 
No recliners or hide a beds!  The mechanisms trap and crush them.
 
Windows need very secure screens on them when open.
 
The best way I have found to keep them out of the bottom of a couch or
chair is to cut a piece of plywood, thin is OK, then nail it to the
bottom.
 
Under the bed box springs you can use another piece of wood or a strong
fitted sheet or mattress pad to place under the box springs.
 
Also check the FML archives for lots of other ideas.
 
I hope that helps.
 
Kim the Oregon one
 
Kim Reyes
Residential Specialist
John L. Scott Real Estate
Direct:  (503) 380-4195
Toll Free 1-877-490-2595
http://www.kimreyes.com
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[Posted in FML issue 3776]