New Rules Regarding the Car Seat LATCH System

Article at a Glance

• The combined weight of your child and the car seat should not exceed 65 pounds when using the LATCH system. Once this limit has been reached, you should use the seat belt system to install your car seat.
• Both the seat belt system and LATCH system are safe when used properly.
• Always use the tether strap regardless of whether you are using the seat belt system or LATCH system.

Did you know that car crashes are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 and 14 years old? It is no wonder that so many regulatory agencies and child advocacy groups take car seats so seriously. They know how important it is for parents and caregivers to understand how to properly use car seats and some of their potential limitations.

Starting in February 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will make some changes to their rules regarding the LATCH system. Since 2002 the LATCH system has been required in cars as a way to make it easier to install car seats. The LATCH system uses lower anchors in the seats and a tether strap in the back to secure the car seat instead of using the seatbelt.

It can be hard to keep up on changes in regulations and it is easy to get confused. But it is important to understand that these changes are intended to make our children safer.

To make things easier, we have highlighted the things you need to know about the recent changes.

• The new rules state that the combined weight of your child and the car seat should not exceed 65 pounds when using the LATCH system. Once this limit has been reached, you should use the seat belt system to install your car seat.
• Both the seat belt system and LATCH system are safe when used properly. The main advantages of the LATCH system are that it is easier to use, it allows for a tighter fit, and it is compatible with all car seats. Studies have shown that people make fewer errors when installing a car seat with the LATCH system then when using seat belts.
• The new rules only apply to the lower anchors and not the tether strap. The tether strap should be used whether you are using the seat belt or LATCH system. The tether strap greatly reduces the forward motion of the car seat and child in the event of a crash or sudden stop.
• These new rules should not be seen as a reason to move your child up to a booster seat too soon. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children should not be transitioned to a booster seat until they outgrow the height and weight limits for their forward facing car seat. If your child and the car seat exceed the weight limits for the LATCH system, you should continue to use the car seat and install it using the seat belt system.

Currently the LATCH system is not designed to support more than 65 pounds. Previously weight recommendations by car manufacturers were based on an estimated car seat weight. Many manufacturers recommended that the LATCH system be used until the child weighed 40 to 48 lbs. But over the years car seats have gotten heavier and can now get up to 33 pounds. That means that in some of the heavier car seats a child can only be 32 pounds and still safely use the LATCH system.

Not only are the car seats heavier, but so are children. Over the past 30 years obesity in children has doubled and changes in car seat recommendations mean that children are also in car seats a lot longer.

The new labeling will give people a more accurate view of how long their children can safely use the LATCH system. But many agencies are currently advocating that future cars be designed with a stronger LATCH system so that children can continue to use it as they get older.

Keeping your child safe while in the car should be one of the primary concerns of any parent. If you have any questions about how to safely use your car seat, you can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s site at www.safercar.gov/parents/ or the AAP’s site.

We also recommend seeking professional help when installing your car seats. Take a minute and sign up for a fitting with the Utah County Health Department. To schedule, call (801) 851-7035. You can also attend a free class provided by the health department.

More Information:
What Parents Need To Know About New Child Car Seat LATCH Rules (edmunds.com)

What parents need to know about the new LATCH car seat rule (consumerreports.org)

Child seat requirements change with 2014 rule (USA Today)