LATCH car seat safety has been a topic of much discussion in recent years. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, which are now required by law on all child restraints to keep children from being thrown from the vehicle under certain crash conditions. This blog post from Land Rover of Tacoma in Fife, WA will explore what a LATCH evaluation is, how it can help you make sure your child's car seat is installed correctly, and why it's important to have one done.
LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. A LATCH evaluation is an inspection of the car seat and its installation to ensure that both meet or exceed requirements set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA requires that all child restraints, including car seats, meet specific safety requirements to be sold in the US.
The NHTSA also mandates specific installation requirements for each restraint. It's important to remember that the purpose of a LATCH evaluation is not just to ensure that your child's seat meets or exceeds established safety standards; it is also an opportunity to educate you on how best to protect your child in a vehicle.