What is LATCH?
If you’re shopping for a car seat, you’ve more than likely heard about LATCH. So, what is it exactly? LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, and is a universal system for car seat installation. In other words, LATCH makes installing car seats easier.
When Did LATCH Become a Standard?
LATCH is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization. In other countries, LATCH may be called LUAS, UAS, ISOFIX, and UCSSS. LATCH simplifies child restraint installation.
Beginning with 2003 model year vehicles, all cars sold in the United States must be equipped with the entire LATCH system. With a few exceptions, all car seats manufactured after September 1, 2002 feature LATCH.
Cars, minivans, and light trucks are required to have anchor points between the vehicle’s seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions. Some pre-2003 model year cars have LATCH. Your car owner’s manual will tell you if your older model has LATCH.
Before the current LATCH regulations, Congress mandated top tether anchors for all 2000 model year vehicles. If your car was manufactured between 2000 and 2003, install your seat using the top tether in conjunction with the safety belt.
Why is LATCH needed?
80% of all car seats are installed incorrectly. Relatedly, car accidents are the number one cause of death in children under age 14, and incorrect car seat installation significantly contributes to the high rate of car accident child mortality. Easier car seat installation improves proper child restraint use and reduces mortality. Plus, LATCH makes for greater compatibility among car seats and vehicles.
What if your vehicle doesn’t have LATCH? Don’t worry, car seats installed properly using either LATCH or your vehicle’s seat belts are equally safe. With both LATCH and seat-belt installation, have your car seat inspected at a car seat fitting station. Visit the NHTSA’s website to find an inspection station near you.
Where is LATCH?
LATCH-equipped cars have anchors located at two points on the back-seat. To find the anchors, run your fingers between the seat cushion and the seat back. Feel two hooks? These are your LATCH anchors. You can also look for the button-like indicators above the anchor points or consult your vehicle owners manual for exact locations.
Now, peek at the rear shelf area of your car. See another anchor? This is the top tether. Can’t find it? Check your owner’s manual. Some vehicles, such as minivans and SUV’s place the tether anchors on the floor, under the seat, or on the ceiling. Distinguishing between cargo tie areas and top tether anchor points can be tricky in SUVs and minivans. Give your vehicle owner’s manual a once over to make sure you get it right.
On your car seat, the two straps located near the base are your lower anchor straps. These have hooks or buckles. The top tether strap is located at the top of the car seat and has a hook or buckle at the end.
How Do I Use LATCH?
Before going crazy with LATCH, read your car seat’s installation instructions and your car owner’s manual. While the instructions below apply to just about any car seat with LATCH, important factors such as weight limits vary by car seat and vehicle model.
Rear-facing
Attach the lower LATCH connectors to the lower anchor bars. Confirm that the lower connector belts aren’t twisted and that they are secured with the opening of the hook facing down and not up. Press the car seat’s base firmly against the vehicle seat back and bottom. Tighten the LATCH belt by pressing down firmly on the car seat with your non-dominant hand and pulling the lower connector belts tight with the other hand.
Once installed, the seat should be tight enough so that no more than an inch side to side or front to back movement is possible. Make sure the car seat is at a 45 degree angle. Some car seats have adjustable bases to provide proper recline, while others require you to prop a rolled up towel or pool noodle underneath the base to achieve the appropriate angle. Some convertible car seats allow the use of top tether for rear-facing installation. Always use the top tether in these cases.
Forward-facing
Attach the lower LATCH connectors to the lower anchor bars. Confirm that the belts aren’t twisted and that they are secured with the hook facing down. Press the car seat firmly against the vehicle seat back and bottom. Tighten the LATCH belts by pressing the car seat down firmly against the vehicle seat back and bottom. Tighten the LATCH belts by pressing the car seat down firmly with your non-dominant hand and pulling the lower connector belts tight with the other hand. Attach the top tether strap to the appropriate anchor point. Tighten the strap. Once installed the seat should be tight enough so that no more than an inch of side to side or front to back movement is possible.
When should I NOT use LATCH?
If you’ve already installed your car seat with the vehicle’s seat belts, do not use LATCH. Use only LATCH or seat belts for installation – not both. Check both the car seat’s instructions and your vehicle’s owner manual for guidance on which lower anchor and top tether anchor points to use. Some vehicles and car seats are not approved for LATCH installations in the center rear seat. Always follow the car seat and vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines.
LATCH is not neccessary for installing belt-positioning booster seats. Some booster seats allow LATCH installation. Booster seat installation with LATCH has not been proven to improve child passenger safety, however, LATCH installation dowes prevent the booster seat from shifting in the car and harming other passengers when it is not in use.
- LATCH anchor points are located between the rear seat cushion and seat back. The top tether anchor point is usually located on the rear shelf, the floor, the ceiling, or under the rear seat.
- When installed correctly, car seats using either LATCH or your vehicle’s safety belts are equally safe.
- All cars manufactured with model year 2003 and aftter have LATCH.
- Always read your vehicle owner’s manual and car seat installation instructions.
- LATCH isn’t any safer than seat belt installation – it’s just easier. If you’re not getting a good fit with LATCH, try seat belt installation and stick with the system that provides the best fit.
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