July 4 is never fun for pets, but we've got a few tips to help them through it. Here are some tips for pets and their owners for a safe Independence Day holiday:

• Resist the urge to take pets to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep them safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area inside your home.
  • Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear of loud noises, pets who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death. 
• Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep your pet company while you're attending picnics, parades, and other celebrations. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so remove any items your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed.
• Never use fireworks around pets. Exposure to lit fireworks can result in severe burns and trauma to the face and paws of curious pets. Even unused fireworks can pose a danger, as many types contain toxic substances such as potassium nitrate and arsenic.
• Make sure your pets have a microchip and are wearing identification tags so that, if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large without owner identification should be taken to Maricopa Animal Care and Control, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.
• Do not leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects — even death — in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.
• Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also possible.
• If you are using a barbeque grill, always keep an eye on your pet, to be sure anything hot is out of reach of hungry dog noses. Remember some food and drink may be toxic to pets. Also make sure gates to your yard are kept closed, so your pet does not get lost while you entertain guests.

For more information on keeping your pets safe this summer, visit the Arizona Animal Welfare League & Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website, at http://www.aawl.org.