We’re taking the day off to enjoy some time with our families and friends. Enjoy your day and remember the following about fireworks and dogs:

Fireworks become very hot very quickly. Curious pets can sniff or even attempt to ingest lit fireworks, resulting in severe burns of the face, mouth or even paws. This is most common in the ever-popular sparkler. Even if unlit, ingesting fireworks can be quite dangerous, even lethal. Fireworks contain a variety of agents including potassium nitrate. For their color effect, heavy metals are used such as mercury, antimony, copper, barium, strontium and phosphorus. Ingestion of these products can result in severe illness.