As parents gear up for the 2016-2017 school year in Southwest Louisiana, they are encouraged to ensure their children’s safety seats are properly installed. To be on the safe side, the Louisiana passenger Safety Task Force, Louisiana State Police Troop D, and the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office are coming together to host a free child safety seat check on Saturday, August 13, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., in DeRidder, at 307 East First Street.

Technicians will be on hand to make sure child safety seats are properly installed. The free booster seats will be given away as first come first serve, but children must meet the following criteria.

  • Child and vehicle must be present
  • Child must weigh from 40 to 100 pounds
  • Child must be less than 4 feet 9 inches tall
  • Child must be at least 4 years old
  • Only one seat per child

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children. Louisiana state law requires drivers to ensure every child in a motor vehicle equipped with safety belts is properly secured, regardless of seating position in the vehicle. Many injuries and deaths can be prevented by properly using child safety seats. -- LSP

You can also make an appointment with the Louisiana State Police Troop D (337.491.2519), or the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office (337.460.5443) to have the child safety seat properly inspected. "The free inspection will allow the parent/caregiver to speak with a technician that will show the parent/caregiver how to properly install the child restraint and ensure the child is in the appropriate seat for the child’s height and weight,” said an LSP press release.

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