Safer Child Products

All vehicles and Child Car Seats made after 2002 are required to be equipped with the LATCH system, (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children).  To locate the LATCH anchors between the vehicle seat back and bottom, look for a small circle with a diagram of a child in a seat.   There should be a diagram just above each LATCH anchor point.  If you are still unsure, check your vehicle’s owners manual. 

When you secure the LATCH clips, make sure that the opening or jaw of the clip is facing downward.  If the strap attached to the LATCH clips routes through the child car seat, be sure that the belt is in the correct path for the direction of your seat.  The seatbelt, or LATCH belt, should always use the path that is closest to the vehicle’s seat back. Many seats will have a label where to route the belt rear facing and where to route it forward facing.  

Even though the Child Car Seat may have a weight limit of 55, 65 or even 80 lbs, the LATCH anchors have a weight limit as well and may only be rated to 40 or 48 lbs.  Check your vehicle owner’s manual.  If this is the case, you will need to switch from the LATCH system to securing the Child Car Seat with the vehicle seatbelt instead.

http://www.macombcountymi.gov/publichealth/HPDC/PDF/LATCH%20and%20tether%20fact%20sheet.pdf