Cheryl S.
July 8th 03, 10:34 PM
Marc > wrote in message
...
> I've seen numerous references to the LATCH system being safer.
> Though I don't know whether that is because the seat is more
> directly attached for better crash protection or reduction in the
> occurrence of the seat being misinstalled.
I recently had my two year old's carseat checked at the fire station,
and asked about the LATCH system, since my new car has anchors but our
carseats do not have LATCH tethers. The inspector told me there is
nothing safer about a carseat installed with LATCH than with the car's
seatbelts. The only advantage to LATCH is that it is supposed to be
easier to use, thereby increasing the likelihood that the carseat is
correctly installed. IOW, comparing two *correctly* installed carseats,
LATCH does not provide any increase in safety over using the seatbelts.
He said that there have even been situations where he could get a more
secure installation with the seatbelt than with the LATCH system. So, I
would say, even if you have LATCH, you're not guaranteed the best
possible installation. It still depends on your particular seat-car
combination.
--
Cheryl S.
Mom to Julie, 2 yr., 3 mo.
And a boy, EDD 4.Sept
Cleaning the house while your children are small is like
shoveling the sidewalk while it's still snowing.
...
> I've seen numerous references to the LATCH system being safer.
> Though I don't know whether that is because the seat is more
> directly attached for better crash protection or reduction in the
> occurrence of the seat being misinstalled.
I recently had my two year old's carseat checked at the fire station,
and asked about the LATCH system, since my new car has anchors but our
carseats do not have LATCH tethers. The inspector told me there is
nothing safer about a carseat installed with LATCH than with the car's
seatbelts. The only advantage to LATCH is that it is supposed to be
easier to use, thereby increasing the likelihood that the carseat is
correctly installed. IOW, comparing two *correctly* installed carseats,
LATCH does not provide any increase in safety over using the seatbelts.
He said that there have even been situations where he could get a more
secure installation with the seatbelt than with the LATCH system. So, I
would say, even if you have LATCH, you're not guaranteed the best
possible installation. It still depends on your particular seat-car
combination.
--
Cheryl S.
Mom to Julie, 2 yr., 3 mo.
And a boy, EDD 4.Sept
Cleaning the house while your children are small is like
shoveling the sidewalk while it's still snowing.