Using LATCH in Center Rear

[Mallory's Mom]

This morning I went to transfer my daughter's Britax Marathon to her grandma's car for the day and noticed that last night when my husband installed it in my car, he put the seat in the center rear position using LATCH. The problem is that my car only has LATCH on the right and left positions in the backseat (I have a Lexus RX300). He'd used one LATCH anchorage from each side (one from the right and one from the left), and extended the belt from the Britax lower attachment reach to the LATCH anchorage. Luckily Mallory hasn't ridden in the seat like ever before that, but I'm certain that can't be the right way to use the seat and LATCH--I think in the center rear you need to use the belt, or move to either the right or left side to use LATCH. Can one of the CPS tech's explain why you shouldn't use LATCH like that to keep your child in the center position?

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

	LATCH LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the Federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints without using the vehicle's seat belt system. New vehicles and child safety seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 will be equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans, and light trucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and a top tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Child safety seats will have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors. Most forward-facing child safety seats will also have a top strap (tether) that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle.

[Papooses]

First, it's important to realize that some vehicle and/or carseat manufacturers do allow inner outboard LATCH anchors for a center install -- a good reminder to always follow the manuals (both vehicle + carseat) Example: Ford usually says that the carseat manufacturer must OK the use of inner outboard anchors for a center install.

As to why this isn't allowed simply comes down to reading the manuals If the vehicle manual does not specifically explain how to install a seat in the center using LATCH then it is not allowed. LATCH anchors are traditionally 11" apart. Unless the manual says that anchors more than 11" apart can be used, then it hasn't been crash tested & the child would become a real life crash test dummy. We do what we know to be safe. We know that a secure install (with less than 1" movement at the seatbelt or LATCH path) next to the door is safer than an incorrect center install. The center is generally safer since it's the furthest from point of impact, but it becomes even more dangerous if the installation is not correct according to both carseat + vehicle manuals. The safest place to install a carseat is whichever location provides the most secure install as per both manuals.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently improving its LATCH regulations, so we may see a change to the current recommendations. However, until there is something official stating that any/all anchor points wider than 11" are safe, then you must follow the manuals.

	LATCH LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the Federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints without using the vehicle's seat belt system. New vehicles and child safety seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 will be equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans, and light trucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and a top tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Child safety seats will have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors. Most forward-facing child safety seats will also have a top strap (tether) that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle.

[Mallory's Mom]

What a great resource, thanks very much!