As the country approaches the celebration of its 250th Independence Day, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is reminding Michiganders to take precautions to keep pets and animals safe.

“Fireworks and Fourth of July festivities with new people, new sounds and lots of activities can be particularly stressful and frightening for animals,” State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland said in a news release. “By planning ahead, we can be sure they have a safe, secure place to be and minimize opportunities for them to escape or run away.”

Taking a few simple steps can ensure everyone stays safe and enjoys the holiday. They include —

— Ensure animals have ID tags or registered microchips with current contact information.

— Keep pets indoors and, if possible, move livestock into barns when people are likely to set off fireworks. Also, check on animals periodically. 

— Provide a separate space away from the noise to reduce stress – turning on a radio or TV may help to drown out loud noises and providing animals with a toy can help to distract them. 

— Open doors to the outside carefully, so an animal does not escape.

— If an animal does escape or you find an animal without an owner, please contact local animal control or law enforcement.

— If dogs are taken outside, make sure they are kept on a leash even if in a fenced area, as they could run due to an unexpected noise. 

— Never set off fireworks near animals; and before letting animals back outside, check the ground for firework debris. 

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, more animals go missing around July 4 than any other time of the year. Fireworks can cause animals to become frightened and run away, making the days following Independence Day some of the busiest at local animal shelters. Making sure animals are as secure and calm as possible leads to better outcomes for the animals as well as the people who care for them.

Michigan law allows fireworks to be set off between 11 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. today through Saturday in observance of the holiday.