During the past week we’ve opined in this space for our readers to have a celebratory, but safe, Fourth of July holiday. Sadly, the stats show that driving accidents and personal injuries spike during the holiday season running between July 1-7. In some cases, lives are forever altered due to poor choices made on and around July 4.

But we’d be remiss if we didn’t touch on one more issue that impacts a certain population during the holiday — our pets.

When it comes to the Fourth and our animals, being proactive over reactive is the preferred way to go, and to that end, the animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society offers tips for a pet stress-free holiday:

— Bring all pets indoors whenever neighborhood fireworks displays are likely to occur and secure them in a quiet room. Close the windows, draw the curtains and surround them with their favorite toys and treats. It can help to play calming music or turn on the television to drown out the frightening sounds.

— Always keep pets away from lit fireworks. Some pets will chase after the bright moving objects and are at risk of being burned or blinded in the process.

— Be sure to keep unlit fireworks out of reach, as fireworks contain substances that are toxic if ingested.

— Ensure your pets are wearing identification tags with your current contact information. Also, make sure their microchip contact information is up-to-date.

By following the above safety precautions, pets can stay safe at home where they belong — celebrating with the rest of the family.