The 4th of July can be a rough time for dogs—fireworks, loud noises, crowds—it’s all pretty overwhelming for them. If you want to keep your dog safe and comfortable, there are a few things you can do to make the day a lot easier on both of you.

First, try to give your dog a good amount of exercise earlier in the day. A long walk or some active play can help tire them out so they’re more relaxed later when things get loud.

Once it gets closer to evening and the fireworks start, it’s best to keep your dog inside. Even if they’re usually fine in the yard, loud noises can cause panic and some dogs will try to run or jump fences to get away. So indoors is definitely the safest place.

Create a little safe zone for them—maybe their crate or a quiet room with some of their favorite blankets and toys. You can play calming music or have the TV on to help cover up the fireworks noise. Closing the windows and curtains also helps muffle the sound and block out the flashing lights.

If your dog gets really anxious, you might want to talk to your vet ahead of time. There are calming treats, anxiety vests like Thundershirts, or even medication in more extreme cases.

Also, double-check that your dog’s ID tag and microchip info are up to date, just in case they do get spooked and somehow get out.

And one more thing: it’s best not to bring your dog to any fireworks shows or big gatherings. Even if they seem okay at first, it’s a really unpredictable environment and can become too much really fast.

Keeping them home, safe, and comforted is the way to go. You’ll both have a better night that way.