What Are Booster Seats?
A booster seat is used to help optimize adult seat belt fit when a child has outgrown a forward-facing harnessed seat. Booster seats help raise the child’s seating position, allowing the seat belt to fit them properly. Most booster seats are designed for kids who weigh 40 to 120 pounds.
What is LATCH?
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) is the universal child restraint system in the United States. It’s a set of hooks and anchors incorporated into the car’s structure or built into the car seat that parents can use to install a car seat. Most cars and car seats manufactured after September 2002 have LATCH.
Do Booster Seats Have To Be Installed Using LATCH?
No, booster seats don’t have to be installed using LATCH, but most of them come with LATCH connectors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises that booster seat manufacturers offer the LATCH belt as a substitute for the car seat belt when installing a booster. LATCH provides additional stability, ensuring that the booster remains in place when the child is not in the car seat.
What Are The Alternatives To LATCH?
When LATCH is not available, parents can still use a booster seat that uses the car’s seat belt. It’s one of the easiest ways to make sure your child is protected in a collision. You want to ensure that the seat belt fits your child correctly. The lap belt should lie flat on your child’s thighs (not stomach), and the shoulder belt should cross the middle of the chest without touching the neck.
What Should You Consider When Choosing A Booster Seat?
When choosing the best booster seat for your child, look for one that is easy to install, fits well in your car, and is suitable for your child’s age, height, and weight. Check to see if the booster seat has passed the NHTSA’s safety standards. It’s also essential to read the instructions carefully and make sure you use the booster seat correctly.
