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LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)

Top tether anchors | Lower anchorage

Child safety seat system

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) is a new standardized child safety seat system that simplifies child safety seat installation and enhances child safety. This new system is now part of some newer vehicles and is required in all new passenger cars. Child safety seat manufacturers are also providing new seats that will fit the new system as well as the regular safety belt system found in cars.

Phase I of LATCH - top tether anchors

As of September 2000, all cars, minivans, and light trucks have been equipped with top tether anchors. A top tether strap is an adjustable strap attached to the back of a child safety seat with a hook for securing the seat on the rear shelf area of the vehicle. In other vehicles, such as mini-vans, the anchor is on the back of the rear seat or the rear floor of the vehicle. This strap reduces the risk of injury by limiting movement of a child's head in a forward crash. New federal safety standards require top tether anchorages in all passengers cars and in all light trucks, buses and multipurpose passenger vehicles.

Phase II of LATCH - lower anchorage

This feature is now required in new cars as of September 1, 2002. Lower anchorage is a small bar or rod located between a vehicle's seat cushion and seat back. Automakers are now required to build specially designed anchorage bars into the rear seats of all new passenger cars and most trucks. This allows for a child safety seat to be attached into the vehicle as opposed to using the vehicle's safety belt system for security. Along with this requirement, child safety seats must have two attachments that will connect to the vehicle's lower anchorage.

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Last modified: November 30, 2004