What better way to welcome summer than with good food, fun, and fireworks. However, it can also be a potentially scary and dangerous time for pets. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure this year’s summer celebrations keep your pets safe!

Keep pets that are sensitive to loud noises and flashes of light away from windows. Play soothing music, or other continuous white noise, throughout the house to help drown out the sound of fireworks.

Prevent burns by keeping pets away from fire. In addition to the burn risk, certain lit objects are also extremely toxic:

★ Charcoal Grills (including the charcoal, lighter fluid, matches)

★ Sparklers

★ Fireworks

★ Citronella candles

Keep pet-friendly treats on hand. Consider a food enrichment toy (such as a Kong) to help keep your pet stay calm and occupied.

Keep dogs on a leash at all times and make sure they wear identification. For their safety, dogs should be on a short but comfortable leash at all times. Even the best-behaved dogs can get distracted during social gatherings and wander off or jump up on grills and food tables. Fireworks and other loud noises may also cause a nervous pet to run and hide.