Sponsored Post. This post as been created in collaboration with and sponsored by cars.com. All opinions are my own.

Did you know that studies have shown that 1 in 5 children killed in car accidents were restrained incorrectly in their car seats? That means one in every five families weren’t installing the car seats properly! I get it, I really do. Car seats can be confusing. Sometimes you’re passing seats back and forth between cars and you don’t get it installed tight enough, or your child isn’t cooperating getting into their car seat, or you’re just plain in a hurry. I am sure we all know what it’s like to have to wrestle a toddler into their car seat when they clearly do not want to be in it and you clearly are late for the hundredth time. I know our parents all joke about how they never had to use car seats and they all grew up riding in the front seat so what’s the big deal? But guys, that statistic shows that it’s a big deal. Car seats help save lives.

Figuring out car seats doesn’t have to be complicated, most of your questions can be answered with a quick search on Google or reading through your manual. So here are a few reminders to help keep your children safe in their Car seats

Always Read Your Manual. I know it seems like a waste of time, but there are some really important things in your manual that you need to know. Can your car seat be washed? Does the handle have to be in a certain position when in use? What are the weight and height limits of the seat? How long until it expires? I bet some of you didn’t even know those things mattered! Every car seat manual has an answer to one of those questions and more, so make sure to read it!

Always follow the weight AND height requirements. Changing your child’s car seat has less to do with age and everything to do with height and weight. For example, some children grow out of the infant seat before they even hit a year! Not all infant seats are created equal. Some can hold babies up to 30 pounds, while others don’t go over 25 pounds. Height is a big deal as well! The same goes for convertible seats and booster seats! Your child needs to be at a proper height for the seat belt to protect them in an accident. If they aren’t tall enough, it can actually do more damage than it can do good! So be sure to follow all the weight and height requirements on your seats.

Always restrain your child properly. Buckle positions, tightness, and the seat matters! Make sure you have the chest clip in the proper spot, the belt in the proper place, and that your child fits their seat!

Always install your seat correctly. If you’re having trouble installing the seat, read through the manual or look for a video on YouTube to get it in. Most seats and vehicles are equipped with a latch system which makes seats easier to install! There are even car seats now that are made to be installed with a seat belt easier. If you still aren’t sure, you can take your vehicle and get the installation checked by a technician.

Take advantage of the resources at your fingertips when it comes to installing your child’s car seat and as they grow! Safety is the most important thing for your child and it’s worth the extra time it takes, even if that means you’re a little late for work!