Louisiana State Police Free Car Seat Check Event in Lake Charles Sept. 22nd

In a effort to keep kids safe while you travel on the roadways and highways, the Louisiana State Police is putting on an event geared toward checking your child safety seats or car seats to make sure they are safe for your kids to ride in your vehicle.

The event is free and will be held at Billy Navarre Chevrolet in Lake Charles this Saturday.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children.  It is estimated that approximately 3 out of 4 child restraint systems are being misused.  In order to help bring attention to these facts and to promote child passenger safety, this week (September 17-22) has been declared Child Passenger Safety Week across the United States. 

In conjunction with Child Passenger Safety Week, the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force and the Louisiana State Police will conduct free child passenger safety seat checks on Saturday, September 22, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Billy Navarre Chevrolet-Cadillac located at 1310 East College Street in Lake Charles.  These checks will be conducted by nationally certified child passenger safety technicians who will provide advice and hands-on child safety seat inspections at no charge.

While supplies last, a limited number of free child seats and free booster seats will be available to those who need them.  In order to obtain one of these seats, the child must be present and the caregiver must participate in the installation of the seat.

Child safety seats and booster seats save lives.  They offer the best protection for children in the event of a crash.  During the past 30 years, approximately 8,959 lives have been saved by the use of child restraints according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  It is important that caregivers ensure children are properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt anytime they are traveling in a vehicle.

Please take advantage of this free opportunity to check your child safety seat for proper installation and to make sure it is appropriate for your child's age and size. The event is open to everyone, regardless of parish of residence.

Participating agencies include Louisiana State Police Troop D, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lake Charles City Police, Leesville Police Department, Lake Charles Fire Department, Sulphur Fire Department, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, United Way of Southwest Louisiana, and AmeriCorps Lake Charles.

Funding for this event is provided by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Source:LSP Sgt. James Anderson

Make sure to take avantage of this free service provided by the State Police this Saturday September 19th, 2012.