LEE COUNTY, Fla.- The State Fire Marshal urges Floridians to celebrate the Fourth of July safely.

Last year alone, there were more than 350 firework-related fires, resulting in $1.7 million dollars in damages and nine injuries.

Experts share the simple secret behind keeping the sparks in the sky only this holiday.

"Common sense is the main thing when using fireworks," Phantom Fireworks manager Jared Aponte said Monday.

The State Fire Marshal offers some quick tips- like only using sparklers on a hard, flat surface in an open area, away from dry brush or homes. It's also recommended to never give sparklers to young children. The handheld fireworks can reach temperatures between 1,300 to 1,800 degrees. Another tip: only light one item at a time, and never attempt to re-light a "dud".

Phantom Fireworks gives their advice to write off brush fire fears.

"Water down your site area where you're shooting the fireworks, probably about 30 foot radius," Aponte said.

Aside from the dangers posed to people, vets say it's critical to think about how fireworks displays will affect any four-legged friends.

"They bark, they howl, they start chewing into the furniture," Dr. Joshua Parra of Florida Veterinary Referral Center said Monday.

Dr. Parra says statistics show 50% of dogs suffer from anxiety, and the problem is only worsened by loud noises. Ideally, he recommends getting medication from your vet to get your animal through Fourth of July fireworks. But if nothing else, a little TLC will go a long way to calm their nerves.

"Put them in a room that's a smaller area, that is confined, that is darker. A shelter that will isolate a lot of the other noise that we see," Dr. Parra said.

Veterinarians recommend you keep your pets inside tonight. Loud noises from firework displays often scare pets, and cause them to run away.