COLUMBIA, SC -- The Columbia Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit was out at Finlay Park in conjunction with Kids Day Columbia on Saturday.

Officers installed and checked car seats for Midlands parents.

Sergeant Michael Modica stresses the importance of having a properly-installed car seat.  "Not having a seat installed properly or having it facing wrongly can be critical in a serious collision as far as what's going to happen to our small people."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration, using car seats properly reduces the risk of fatal injury to children by more than 50%.