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Introduction

Eighty percent of child safety seats are used incorrectly. Vehicle and child safety seat incompatibilities can make installation of a child safety seats difficult. The Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system is designed to make installation of child safety seats easier by requiring child safety seats to be installed without using the vehicle's seat belt system. By September 2002, all new vehicle's will have standard hardware installed in the vehicle seats and all child safety seats will have two lower attachments to attach to the vehicle anchorages.

Vehicles with LATCH
Click here to see which 2002 vehicles have LATCH attachments.

Child Safety Seats with LATCH
Throughout the summer and fall of 2002 retailers will begin stocking their shelves with many LATCH child safety seats. As of June, 2002 Cosco/Dorel and Britax are the only two manufacturers that have child restraints available on the retail market. The Cosco/Dorel Forerunner (convertible child safety seat) is available through Kmart. The Britax Expressway (forward facing only) is available in speciality stores where Britax products are sold.

Tips for installing a rear-facing convertible LATCH seat

Always read your child safety seat instructions and vehicle's owner's manual for proper use and installation information.

• Check to ensure that the harness straps are in the lower slots (they should be at or below baby's shoulders).

• Adjust seat to most reclined position.

• Locate the lower latch attachments.

• Hook the latch attachments to the vehicle anchors.
• Push with knees to assure that child seat is pressed against the vehicle seat back.
• Put your body weight into the child safety seat (stand in front of seat and put one knee in seat), then pull the excess webbing.
• Check for secure fit by placing your hands on the child safety seat, near the base of the child safety seat (near the latch attachments), and pull.
• The child safety seat should not move more than an inch forward or sideways.
• Child safety seat should be secured at a 45 degree angle.

• If seat is not at a 45 degree angle, unbuckle seat and place a rolled towel or foam noodle underneath base at the vehicle seat bite to achieve the proper 45 degree angle.

Installing a forward-facing convertible LATCH seat

Always read your child safety seat instructions and vehicle's owner's manual for proper use and installation information.

• Check to ensure that harness straps are at or above child's shoulders (for most seats harness straps should be in uppermost slots– read manufacturer's instructions).
• Adjust seat to upright or semi-reclined position (according to manufacturer's instructions)

• Locate the lower latch attachments.
• Hook the latch attachments to the vehicle anchors.

• Put your body weight into the child safety seat (stand in front of seat and put one knee in seat), then pull the excess webbing.
• Attach child safety seat tether strap to tether anchor in vehicle and pull excess webbing to tighten.
  

• Check for secure fit by placing your hands on the child safety seat, near the base of the child safety seat (near the latch attachments), and pull.
• The child safety seat should not move more than an inch forward or sideways.

Use and Installation of Tether Straps

A tether strap is an additional belt that anchors the child safety seat top to the vehicle. A tether reduces the forward movement and rotation of the child safety seat in a crash. A tether strap can be optional or factory installed on a child safety restraint. A tether strap is typically available on most child safety seats manufactured after September 1, 1999.

If a tether strap did not come with your child safety seat, contact the manufacturer to determine if it can be ordered as an option.

Ready-to-use tether anchors

Most new vehicles, beginning with model year 2000 have ready-to-use tether anchors.

Tether anchors in older vehicles

The information presented in this section obtained from Tethering Child Restraints, developed by Safe Ride News Publications, Inc.

If your vehicle does not have a ready-to-use tether anchor, read your vehicle's owner manual, which may include information on where to install tether anchors in your vehicle. Contact the vehicle dealer or manufacturer customer service line for tether anchor hardware and installation information. Use vehicle-specific parts whenever possible.

In some vehicle models, tether anchor hardware is easy for consumers to install themselves. In other vehicles, however, special equipment or complex procedures are necessary, so the dealership or a mechanic should do the installation.

• 1985 and older vehicles frequently require the drilling of a tether anchor point hole. If tether anchor hardware is not available from the vehicle manufacturer for older vehicles, use tether anchor hardware offered by child restraint manufacturers.
• 1986-1988 vehicles may have pre-drilled holes fitted with a plug or filler.
• 1989 and more recent model vehicles usually have threaded weld nuts, pre-drilled holes, or dimpled drill locations designated for tether anchor use.

Steps for installing a tether anchor

• Identify and find the preferred anchor point.
• Obtain the tether anchor kit.
• If necessary, drill a tether anchor hole in the appropriate location.
• Install the anchor hardware according to manufacturer's instructions.