How do I keep my dog safe if it bolts during fireworks?

Fireworks reliably cause a spike in lost dog reports each year, since a startled dog in a panic state can jump fences, squeeze through gaps it would never normally attempt, and run considerable distances in a very short time. Preventing the bolt entirely is far more effective than trying to catch a dog already in a full panic response.

Keep your dog indoors for the entire evening if you know fireworks are likely, using pads or garden access under close supervision rather than a full walk. If a toilet trip outdoors is unavoidable, keep your dog on lead even in a normally secure garden, since a panicking dog can clear a fence height it would never attempt while calm.

Check that your dog's microchip details show your current address and phone number well before firework season begins, and confirm the collar tag is legible and securely attached. This single check takes a few minutes but makes an enormous difference to how quickly a bolted dog can be reunited with you if the worst does happen.

Search calmly and systematically rather than chasing, since a panicked dog often runs further from a pursuer, and alert neighbors, local vets, and community lost pet groups quickly with a recent photo. Most bolted dogs are found within the local area once the immediate panic passes and they settle somewhere quiet.