– In recognition of Trauma Awareness Month in May, CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System is providing car seats to qualified families as part of the Safe Riders Child Safety Seat Distribution and Education Program.

In partnership with the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, the program aims to educate families on the importance of child car seats, which have been shown to reduce the risk of death in a vehicle crash by more than 70%.

“Lack of child safety restraints or improperly restrained infants and children are in the top preventable causes of death and injury to children,” said Lauren Jamison, trauma program manager at CHRISTUS St. Michael. “Improperly installed car seats are just as dangerous as no car seat at all, and we are blessed to be able to provide and install car seats appropriately for those who need it.”

To qualify for a car seat, a family must meet the following requirements:

– Have a vehicle with a working seat belt

– Attend a one-hour class to learn how to use and install the safety seat correctly

– Child must be present to receive a seat

– Expectant mothers should be in their last trimester

Classes are held on an as-needed basis and are conducted by certified car seat technicians.

To register, please call (903) 614-5556.