July 2, 2026
Harris County ESD 11 Medical Director Dr. Jay Kovar Talks Firework Safety and Injury Prevention During KHOU-TV Morning Show Interview
HOUSTON, TX July 2, 2026 As Independence Day celebrations approach, ESD 11 Medical Director Dr. Jay Kovar joined the Spring Fire Department for a series of morning show interviews focused on firework safety and injury prevention, encouraging residents to celebrate responsibly and take precautions to protect themselves and their families.
During the interviews, Dr. Kovar emphasized that while fireworks are a cherished holiday tradition, they can also cause serious injuries when handled improperly. Burns, eye injuries, hand trauma, and hearing damage are among the most common emergency department visits associated with fireworks each year. Many of these injuries are preventable through proper safety practices and increased public awareness.
“Celebrating with family and friends should be memorable for the right reasons,” said Dr. Jay Kovar. “By following basic safety guidelines, keeping a safe distance from fireworks, supervising children, and attending professional fireworks displays whenever possible, we can help reduce preventable injuries and keep our communities safe.”
The discussion also highlighted the importance of adult supervision, maintaining a safe distance from fireworks after they are lit, never attempting to relight malfunctioning fireworks, and having water readily available in case of a fire or emergency. Residents were reminded that sparklers, often perceived as harmless, can reach temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and should be used with extreme caution around children.
The Spring Fire Department echoed the importance of community education and encouraged residents to familiarize themselves with local regulations regarding fireworks while prioritizing safety throughout the holiday weekend.
About ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare
ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare covers a 177 square mile area of northern Harris County with over 700,000 residents, the largest Emergency Service District in the state of Texas. ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare receives over 65,000 calls a year and consistently ranks among the best EMS services in the country for speed of response, patient satisfaction and quality of care. The Harris County Emergency Services District 11 Communication Center, known as Control, is recognized as an ACE Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. This prestigious designation highlights our commitment to excellence in emergency dispatch services. As an ACE-accredited agency, we enjoy increased visibility in community service, enhanced support in litigation and liability management, and improved recruitment and retention, affirming the value and impact of our team’s work.
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Contact: Miranda Sevcik, Public Information Officer 346-226-8808
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