LATCHjärjestelmiä

LATCHjärjestelmiä, known in English as the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system, is a standardized method for installing child car seats in vehicles. The system aims to simplify and improve the safety of child restraint installations. LATCH consists of two main components: lower anchors and tethers. Lower anchors are specialized attachment points found in the vehicle's seat cushions, designed to connect directly to corresponding lower anchor connectors on the child car seat. These connectors are typically webbing straps with metal clips. Tethers, also known as top tether anchors, are found on the rear of vehicle seats or in the cargo area of SUVs and vans. These are used for forward-facing child car seats and attach to a strap on the top of the car seat, further securing it and reducing forward head movement in a crash. The LATCH system reduces the reliance on vehicle seat belts for securing child car seats, which can sometimes be complicated to use correctly. When using LATCH, it is crucial to follow both the vehicle manufacturer's instructions and the child car seat manufacturer's instructions, as there are weight limits for using the lower anchors. Once a child and car seat exceed these limits, the car seat must be secured using the vehicle's seat belt.