Yes, ferrets need their vacs just like a cat or dog, however, there *are* things that ferrets are prone to, I'll have to look it up and get back to you with the specks because I can't remember what it's called at the moment.

I have not owned a ferret since marrying my second husband and having kids (he doesn't care for ferrets and, as I said earlier, they don't make good pets for kids).
Ferret proofing is indeed a huge undertaking!!! The best thing you can do is, don't let the ferret have the run of the whole house. When it is out and about, always have it in your sights and be actively playing with it. If it opts to play with your cats, keep an eye on all of them as ferrets can be bullies and bitey ones at that.

Wires, uggg. What I did was, I tapped up all wires for the TV stereo, VCR etc. to the back of the entertainment center, then secured a piece of press board onto the back of everything where the wires were.
Insulating the cords in heavy tubing is also a good idea, but either way, you *will* need to keep an eye on a ferret. They are very sneaky and very fast and are often hell bent and determined to do what *they* want and ignore you altogether.

I've had my ferrets get back behind the fridge as well as the stove and I gaurentee you, that only happened once!!! It can be difficult to completely secure every possible cubby hole in your entire house and the kitchen can be one of the hardest so, keep them out of the kitchen. Oh, and they're very good at opening cupboards too so.....keep them out of the bathroom.
Have designated rooms for the ferret and have designated "out" times when they are out of their cage and zooming around the living room.