With Independence Day approaching, the city offers tips to keep pets safe from fireworks.

• Never take your pets to fireworks displays. What's fun for you isn't necessarily fun for pets. Large crowds and unfamiliar sights and sounds can frighten pets.
• Keep pets indoors if possible, or confined to a secure area so they won't get scared by fireworks. Leave a TV or radio playing for company if you have to leave the pet alone.
• Don't leave animals chained outside during fireworks. A scared animal can get tangled in a chain and get injured or break the chain and flee.
• Double-check yard gates to make sure that pets cannot escape.
• Make sure all pets are wearing proper identification, including the name and telephone number of their owner.
• Never leave pets in a car while you enjoy summer activities. With only hot air to breathe inside the car, your pet can suffer serious health problems, even death, within minutes. Partially opened windows don't provide sufficient air, but do offer the opportunity for your pet to be stolen.