The Fourth of July is Monday and it's the one holiday where in addition to wishing our family, friends, and neighbors have a good time, we also wish them to stay safe. For good reason.

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People Pay a Price For Fireworks Fun

A new federal report shows that more Americans are being injured or killed by fireworks, with more than 11,500 injuries reported in 2021 alone.

The report, from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, outlines a 25% growth in firework-related injuries over a 15-year span from 2006 to 2021. Deaths have held steadier, the report found with about 10 people each year killed in firework-related incidents.

 

They Are Called "FIRE" Works

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, and they  estimate

19,500 fires started by fireworks were reported to local fire departments in the US during 2018. These fires caused five civilian deaths, 46 civilian injuries, and $105 million in direct property damage.

If we manage to sidestep the holiday carnage ourselves, will our pets be there when we get home?  Or will they be chased off by the noise and chaos caused by roaming too close to a fireworks show?

Runaway Pets Up 30% On The 4th

More pets reportedly go missing around the Fourth of July than any other time of the year.

For example, your pet may react by hiding, and many pets may become confused about the direction of the sounds and react by looking for an escape route...their fight-or-flight response puts them at risk of becoming lost.

Dogs, cats, and birds were the three pet types that most often went missing.

The dog breeds found to be the most common runaways were Labrador retrievers, chihuahuas, and pit bulls. Fraidy-cat breeds included Persians, Siamese, and domestic short hairs. The birds most likely to fly the coop were parrots, parakeets, and cockatoos.

Keep Pets Safe And Happy On The Holiday

 Pet insurance experts have these reminders for all pet owners on the Fourth of July.

1. Invest in and double-check pet tags

2. Ask a vet about medication

3. Have distractions ready

4. Don’t take your pet to gatherings

LOOK: The least obedient dog breeds

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