As parents we hope to spend as much time with our kids as possible and I’m sure we would love to be able to spend every moment with them. However, life gets in the way and you will have to leave your children in the hands of a caregiver at some point. This caregiver could be a family member, friend, babysitter, whoever you trust to watch your children!

I’ve titled this post “Everyone is Responsible” because we all interact with children, whether you have some of your own or not. It is important that every adult, especially those watching your children, are completely aware of the proper use and installation of car seats. Grandparents take the kids out for a day, friends take them to the movies, and maybe the babysitter needs to run a few errands. Its okay to let people drive with your children, but only if they know how to keep them safe!

This is why it is important to teach every person who could possibly watch your child how to properly use a car seat. It is not enough to just install the car seat in their car for them. Take the time to explain how to work the car seat, move the car seat if needed, and how to adjust the child to stay secure in the car seat. Explain to them why it is important. You never know what could happen (hence why we use car seats anyway!), and you may not be around to correct a simple mistake being made with the car seat. It is a good idea to leave the car seat manual in the car or with the car seat, so anyone who may have to use it will know exactly what to do. Always make sure to arrive early to fully explain how to use the car seat and make sure it is installed correctly in the car.

My whole family knows I am strict with my kids and their car seats. I have explained at length how they need to be used and don’t let my kids go with someone who is not willing to take it seriously. I always speak up and correct a mistake with a car seat. Some people may get offended, but I’d rather them be temporarily upset at me than have something serious happen because the car seat was not used correctly.

For those of you without children, some basic knowledge is needed in case of emergencies. There are 100 different situations that could occur, but you may be responsible for the safety of a child in the car at some point.

Many times, the babysitter may never have to travel with your children and you may not even give them a car seat or booster seat to do so. If this is the case, you must make it clear to the babysitter that you do not want them driving with your children in the car without their car seat. As I’ve mentioned many times, 95% of people use a car seat incorrectly, and you’d be surprised at how many people don’t use them at all. Make things clear with your babysitter so you don’t risk them driving with your children without being properly restrained.