It’s not just the hot weather that’s a challenge. Every year, all over town and across the estuary, the Fourth of July [1] is a nightmare for many Alamedans and their pets [2] because of—you guessed it—fireworks. It’s not necessarily the big professional displays that are the problem, but the nonstop pow-pow-pow of everything from seemingly innocent sparklers and firecrackers to the flash-bang of illegal but popular M-80s and cherry bombs, and the do-it-yourself neighborhood pyrotechnic shows.
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Believe it or not, those innocent little sparklers caused 700 emergency room visits nationwide last year, and firecrackers caused another 800. Thousands of people are injured every year by fireworks—including wildfires sparked by fireworks that cost people their homes, their lives, and millions of dollars in property damage. In 2023 alone, fireworks were involved in eight deaths and an estimated 9,700 injuries, according to the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission [4]. A vast number of these cases involved children under 18.
And our beloved pets sometimes suffer the worst. “The boom of fireworks can be so frightening that many pets panic and bolt,” Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter [5] (FAAS) CEO/Director John Lipp reminds us. “More pets end up in shelters following July 4 celebrations than at any other time of year.” Read on for tips on keeping your pets safe and calm.
For those who will be staying home with pets on the Fourth, FAAS [6] will be posting to Facebook [7] and inviting pet households to leave comments about how the night is going. “Last year pet parents found this to be a very helpful forum for sharing their experiences—and photos,” Lipp said. It provides a sense of community with others who care enough to hunker down at home with their furry BFFs.
We wish you a wonderful Fourth of July. Following are some tips for staying safe and enjoying yourself despite all the pop-pop-pop and boom-boom boom.
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Safety tips for people
For the safety of our children, CalFire [9] reminds us to always make sure there are adults present when fireworks are used. Here are some of their safety tips for all of us:
- Use only State Fire Marshal approved fireworks.
- Always read the directions before handling or lighting a firework.
- Only use fireworks outdoors—but never near dry grass or other flammable materials.
- Light one firework at a time.
- Make sure you have a bucket of water and a hose nearby.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a firework when lighting the fuse.
- Be sure to back up several feet immediately after lighting a firework.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Never attempt to re-light or “fix” fireworks.
- Don’t wear loose fitting clothing while lighting fireworks.
- Never carry fireworks in your pockets.
CalFire firefighters will be on alert and will continue to respond to all calls to keep all Californians safe during the holiday weekend.
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Keep pets safe and calm
First rule: Keep your pets inside while fireworks are going off outside. If possible, stay home with them. It’s going to be a hot few days anyway, so consider what that means for your pet’s comfort when deciding whether you should go to a barbecue and bring them with you. Meanwhile, for their benefit and yours, here are some tips offered by John Lipp:
- Keep doors and windows closed, and fences and gates secured.
- Make sure your pet is wearing ID and has updated microchip info.
- Play calming music layered over white noise.
- Buffer the booms by keeping pets in an interior room.
- Try an anxiety vest, like a Thundershirt.
- If your pet must be in a crate or carrier, cover it with a blanket.
- If nothing else has worked in the past, ask your vet about medication.
Best tip of all: Snuggle up! It’s the best therapy imaginable, for both our pets and ourselves.