The following is a press release from University Medical Center: 

  • UMC Trauma and Burn Services provides free car seats through the Safe Riders Traffic Safety Program.
  • Car seats are for self-certified low-income families.
  • UMC Trauma and Burn Services will also provide free car seat safety classes to those receiving a car seat.

Accidents (unintentional injuries) are the number one cause of death in children, according to the CDC, and three out of four car seats are installed wrong. Having a car seat, and making sure it’s installed properly, can help lessen the chances of death in an accident.

That’s why UMC Trauma and Burn Services now offers a program, through the Safe Riders Traffic Safety Program, in which low-income families can receive a free car seat. “I’m a big believer that kids are our future,” said Kawanna McCormick, UMC Trauma and Burn Registrar, “so we have to protect them. A car seat is part of protecting them.”

Free car seats through this program are available for self-certified low-income families. This means UMC is providing car seats on an honor system. There is no application, or proof of income needed. Those needing a car seat simply need to call our Safe Riders phone line at 806.761.0660.

The only catch: recipients attend a free car seat safety class. These classes will be held twice a month at the UMC Business and Technology Center, 509 North Slide. The first of these is on Friday, July 20, at 12:30PM. The next class is on August 17 at 11AM and another at 12:30PM.

UMC Trauma and Burn Service is available by appointment to conduct car seat checks for the public. Simply call the same number. We also host free car seat safety check events for the public periodically. The next of these is August 4, 2018 from 9AM to 11AM (come and go).

“We are hoping to not only reach people in Lubbock County, but also the surrounding areas,” McCormick said. “UMC serves Eastern New Mexico and other surrounding areas, so we hope to help residents in these areas in this capacity, as well.”

UMC is giving car seats for children of all ages, from infant seats to booster seats for children. We cannot issue car seats to premature babies (born at 37 weeks or sooner).

UMC Health System has developed a strong and enduring culture, adhering to the motto Service is Our Passion, our ‘why.’ This sustains UMC as the employer of choice—consistently ranking among the best places to work in Texas by the Best Companies Group – and the provider of choice – ranking among the top 10 percent of hospitals in the nation for patient experience by HealthGrades.

(Press release from University Medical Center)