By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – State Police and the LaPlace Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a child safety seat inspection station Monday at the fire station on Hemlock Street in LaPlace. Parents and caregivers wishing to have their vehicle’s child restraints inspected or properly installed by certified child safety technicians may come by the fire station, located at 521 Hemlock St., between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday. Inspections are free, and no appointment is required. Proper installation of child restraints is based on the child’s age and weight.

Louisiana state law requires the driver of a motor vehicle to ensure that every child under the age of 13 is properly restrained, regardless of seating position, and statistics from State Police show 96 percent of child safety seats are used improperly. Motor vehicle crashes are unexpected events; however, through the proper use of child safety seats and seatbelts, occupants can significantly reduce their chance of injury and/or death in the event of a crash.