LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
What is the LATCH system?
LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. LATCH systems, are helping to simplify child restraint installation and thus helping to protect children by keeping child restraints more secure in vehicles. Under the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 225, all current passenger motor vehicles must have at least some seating positions equipped with standard anchors and all child restraints must have fittings that will clip onto the vehicle fittings quickly and easily.
LATCH in the Vehicle
In the vehicle, the complete LATCH system consists of two lower anchors and one upper anchorage. Each lower anchorage is a rigid, round rod or bar located where the vehicle seat cushion meets the seat back. The upper tether anchorage is a ring-like object, permanently attached to the vehicle at the top of the rear seat. At least two rear seating positions in each vehicle must be equipped with the complete LATCH system. In addition, a third rear seating position must have an upper tether anchorage to hold the child seat tightly so the child's head won't move too far forward in the event of a crash.
LATCH on the Child Restraints
LATCH equipped child restraint systems (CRS) must have connector that hooks or snaps onto the lower anchorage bars in the vehicle. The CRS's can use either a flexible or rigid lower anchor. The flexible anchor uses a hook that is attached to a length of belt webbing that is tightened like a seat belt after being hooked to the vehicle anchor. The rigid anchor is a metal bar or rod that clamps on to the vehicle anchor. A tether strap from the top of the CRS will be attached to the upper tether anchorage with both systems.
New Car, Older Child Restraint?
Child restraint systems on the market foe the past decade have all been very safe and provide very good protection to children when installed and used properly. Parents and other care givers can still use older child restraints since new LATCH equipped vehicles will still have seat belts that will be able to secure them.
New Child Restraint, Older Car?
In addition, new LATCH equipped child restraint systems can be used in older vehicles without LATCH anchors. Federal standards require that the child restraints meet the crash test performance standards using the "old" method if installation with the vehicle seat belts as well as the LATCH anchors. Most older vehicles can be fitted with top tether strap anchors to provide an extra margin of safety. Refer to the vehicle owners' manual for information on tether anchors for a specific vehicle.
To find out which vehicles are equipped with the LATCH systems, contact your local car dealer or the auto manufacturer customer service contacts listed below. To find out which child restraint systems are equipped with the LATCH systems, contact the manufacturer customer service contacts or web sites listed below.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides information about LATCH, including lists of LATCH-equipped vehicles, through their Child Passenger Safety web site.
Customer Service Contact Numbers for Automobile Manufacturers
|
