It's not enough to have your baby or toddler ride in a child safety seat. Law enforcement officials say to keep your child safe, the seat must also be installed properly.

Parents or caretakers can have their child safety seat inspected at a free check-up event from noon to 3 p.m. this Saturday, April 26, at the Burlington Coat Factory in Shreve City Shopping Center.

Nationally certified technicians with the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force will be on hand to inspect your child's safety seat, show you how to properly install the seat in your vehicle, adjust the seat to your child, and provide other valuable information to make every ride a safer one.

"Nine out of 10 safety seats are not properly fitted or installed," said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator. "Proper restraint use can greatly reduce your child's chances of being killed or injured in a crash."

Saturday's child safety seat checkup will conclude four days of training for 39 public safety and health officials who are seeking certification as child passenger safety seat technicians. This week, under direction from already certified law officers with the Caddo and Lafayette Sheriff's Offices, State Police, and Monroe Police Department, students are attending lectures and hands-on instruction in the proper installation and adjustment of child safety seats. The class will participate in Saturday's checkup under the supervision of their instructors to gain certification, a prelude to joining the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force.

Agencies participating in the checkup include the Caddo and Lafayette Sheriff's Offices; State Police, Troops F, G, L, and B; Bossier City Fire and Police Departments; Caddo Fire District #1; Fort Polk Army Hospital; and Sibley Police Department.