Time for fireworks? Celebrate safely with these consumer safety tips
Fireworks can be great for celebrations year-round but they can also be dangerous if they are not used properly.
Damien Henderson, USA TODAY
One in five lost dogs go missing as a result of the booming noise of Fourth of July fireworks or other frightening loud noises like thunder each year, According to the ASPCA.
The holiday weekend sports an influx of lost pets, more than any other time of the year.
Help decrease the number of stray dogs in the High Desert by preparing your home and your pet for the inevitable fireworks celebration planned to happen this Fourth of July. City governments, animal shelters, and animal hospitals have offered advice on how to reduce pet stress amid fireworks season in the High Desert.
Ark Animal Hospital in Victorville spoke with the Daily Press about the pet sedation route to keep our four-legged friends comfortable this holiday. They recommend that animals stay inside so the noise isn’t as distracting but also suggest that sedation may be the best route for anxious pets.
Tranquilizers are the best relaxant for an overwhelming fireworks fiasco, veterinarians said. Ark Animal Hospital issues an exam before any tranquilizers are issued to assess the severity of the pet’s anxiety.
Ark also offers pill sedations and recommends that pet owners contact their normal vet as soon as possible, as same-day pick-up and treatment may not be available before the Fourth of July.
Additionally, the Town of Apple Valley and AV Animal Shelter suggest that residents take multiple steps to secure the safety and comfort of their pets. This includes walking pets before the loud festivities start, turning on the TV as a noise distraction, and making sure collars are tightly secured.
Microchipping your pet beforehand is another surefire way to locate your pup in the event of an escape.
City-by-city fireworks bonanzas
It may be best to avoid walking pets during High Desert fireworks shows this Fourth of July season. Below are the times and dates of the main fireworks bonanzas happening around town this year:
- 9 p.m. June 29, Pioneer Park, Lucerne Valley
- 9 p.m. July 3, Community Park, Newberry Springs
- 9 p.m. July 4, Lenny Brewster Sports Center, Apple Valley
- 9 p.m. July 4, Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark, Barstow
- 9 p.m. July 4, SBC Fairgrounds, Victorville
- 8:45 p.m. July 4, Big Bear Lake, Big Bear
- 9 p.m. July 5, Lake Arrowhead Lake
- 9 p.m. July 6, Lake Gregory, Crestline
McKenna Mobley is a Daily Press reporter and can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com.