LAST AMERICAN FIREWORKS MANUFACTURER CELEBRATES 80TH BIRTHDAY

Helping Your Pets Getting Used to Fireworks

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – Phantom Fireworks urges Americans to show consideration for your pets this Fourth of July by taking care to reduce the stress and anxiety many pets experience when they hear the bangs and whistles of the fireworks. There are several ways to help protect your pets, and Phantom encourages pet owners to consider their options in advance and be prepared.

The popular British website Canine Concepts (http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk/) recommends a process of desensitizing your pets to the loud noises of fireworks by playing a commercially available CD that simulates the sounds of a fireworks display in the days and weeks leading up to Independence Day. Canine Concepts suggests that while the CD is playing, you should distract your pet by playing with the animal, giving training lessons or providing a favorite toy or chew to encourage the animal to think of something other than the background noise. This will help the desensitization process.

The desensitization process should occur over a period of time before the fireworks display, during which time the CD should be played several times a day with the volume and length of time increasing.

Canine Concepts also advises if your pet should become afraid or visibly stressed during either the desensitization process or during the fireworks display itself, you not attempt to sooth or console the animal, because that would only reinforce the fear of the pyrotechnics.

Phantom Fireworks has introduced a new pet-calming product this season that utilizes a soothing technology to help allay the animal’s fears. Available at Phantom Showrooms nationwide, the K-9 Calming Vest is designed for use on dogs. It fits tightly around your dog and gives the animal a feeling of safety and security while the physical sensations of the vest distract the dog from the noises and flashes of the fireworks.

Other ways Canine Concepts recommends to try and calm your pet during fireworks displays include: feeding your pet an hour before a fireworks show and providing snacks throughout; using music or television to drown out the sounds of the fireworks; or attempting to play with your pet throughout the display.

For more tips on the safe operation of fireworks for both pets and humans, log on to http://www.fireworks.com/ and click on “Fireworks University.”

Phantom Fireworks is owned by the B.J. Alan Company, located in Youngstown, Ohio.