If you're a parent, here's a statistic that may shock you. Police say 8 out of 10 car seats are not installed properly and in the event of an accident that could mean the difference between life and death.

Police say the most common mistake they see is too much slack, when installed correctly you should not be able to move the car seat more than an inch in either direction. Saturday Colorado Springs Police held a special car seat safety fair to help parents make sure their seat is installed properly.

"It was very upsetting," said Casey Preciado.

She found out that her 9-month old was riding in a car seat that was not only too big, but it was also not buckled in right.

"It was loose and it wasn't correct," Preciado.

Officer Paul Meeks says while installing a car seat may seem simple; he's never checked a single car that's gotten it all right.

"I've never seen an infant sitting in a car seat correctly with the car seat installed correctly, not one time," Meeks.

Meeks says it’s a scary reality because if your child is not buckled in correctly it could mean the difference between life and death.

"There's a good possibility there could be an ejection," Meeks said.

Megan Morgen is just glad she came Saturday to receive a little advice, advice that will help keep her daughter safe.

"I thought it was ok with just a seat belt but not in the newer vehicles," Morgen said.

Installing a car seat properly really comes down to a lot of little details. Police say it's very important that parents read the instruction manuals for their car seats and if you have any questions, or to get your car seat checked for free, contact the police sub station nearest you.