Information provided by Britax USA
Today it’s all about the LATCH!
LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (what’s the H for? I vote “happy.”) All passenger vehicles and child seats manufactured after September 1, 2002, are required to have special anchors for attaching the child seat directly to the vehicle rather than securing the child seat with the vehicle’s seat belt. Keep in mind that even if your vehicle is equipped with LATCH you are still able to secure the child seat using the vehicle seat belt system. Whether you choose to secure the seat using either your vehicle seat belt system or LATCH is up to you; you are not required to use LATCH.
To use LATCH, both the child seat and the vehicle must have LATCH parts that work together.
Lower anchors –Lower anchors can be either very visible, such as in the vehicle pictured here, or they can be “buried” in the seat bight. Be sure to read your vehicle owner’s manual to understand where your lower anchors are located in your particular vehicle.
Top tether anchor The top tether anchor location will vary based on what type of vehicle you drive. The top tether anchor could be located on the roof of the vehicle, like the one pictured here. Some are located on the floor, the rear of the seat itself, or on the rear shelf behind the rear seat, such as in sedans. Be sure to read your vehicle owner’s manual to understand where your anchor locations are in your particular vehicle.
Lower connectors The lower connectors will be located on the lower part of your seat. Be sure to read your child seat user guide to understand how your lower LATCH connectors work on your particular seat.
Top tether
The top tether hook will be located on the upper part of the back of the child seat. Again, be sure to read your child seat user guide to understand how your top tether works on your particular seat.
How they work together
The lower connectors on the child seat hook onto the lower anchor bars in your vehicle.
And the top tether hook on the child seat attaches to the top tether anchor in your vehicle.
Together they create a system that can make installation of your child seat easier. Whether you decide to install your seat using LATCH or the vehicle seat belt system, it is important to read both your child seat user guide and vehicle owner’s manual prior to installing your child seat. It’s also important to understand that you only have to choose ONE installation method; you should not use both the vehicle seat belt system and LATCH to install your harnessed child seat.
Note: Some booster seats posses LATCH connectors; the LATCH connectors help to properly position the booster seat in your vehicle. The vehicle seat belt restrains your child in a booster seat. In these types of situations both the LATCH connectors and vehicle seat belt may be used at the same time.
Thank you Britax for providing this great information for us. To learn more safety tidbits like this please visit their expansive online Learning Center.
Today we proudly give away Two Next Generation Convertible Car Seats for your twinnies from Britax. Choose from either the Roundabout 55, Marathon 70, Boulevard 70, Boulevard 70 CS, or the Advocate 70 CS. All these BRITAX convertible car seats can be used rear facing from 5 to 40 pounds and forward facing from 1 year and 20 pounds, up to 70 pounds, depending on the seat. High-capacity convertibles allow your child to stay in a five-point harness through the toddler years.
One lucky winner of two Next Generation Convertible Car seats can choose their seat and their fabric choice!
So how do you win? All you have to do is tell us:
“How old/how much should your child weigh before he/she no longer needs a car seat? Is there anything else you should take into consideration (pssttt…read yesterday’s post).”
Please reply to this POST below with your answer. One winner will be randomly chosen on Monday.
We will announce the winners on Monday, but please note, all potential winners MUST be a member of Twiniversity; have a valid EMAIL address on file; and HAVE multiples living in their home, right now. Unfortunately, there is no separate prize for Gold Members this week.
Congratulations!!! The winner of the second installment of our Britax giveaway is, Kristin Lehman, of Mead, WA!!! Kristin will receive her choice/color of two car seats from the Britax Next Generation Convertible Car Seats collection.
Twiniversity 
Sep 22, 2011 @ 13:34:59
they are ready when they pass the five step test:
The 5-Step Test ©SafetyBeltSafe USA
1.Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2.Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3.Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4.Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5.Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
Sep 22, 2011 @ 16:40:38
It’s not about weight, more about height. The vehicle seat belt has to fit properly (5-Step Test) and hit their shoulder at the right place. It will be different for every child.
Sep 22, 2011 @ 17:11:18
It depends on the child, and the car! Use the 5 step test (shown above) and more info here: http://www.thecarseatlady.com/booster_seats/booster_seats.html Unless you can answer YES to all 5 questions, your child still needs to use a booster!
Sep 22, 2011 @ 18:17:31
The H comes from the H in CHildren. In California the rule is 6 years or 60lbs. You also must know the weight limit for your seat. Though it is recommended that children stay in boosters until 8 or 4’9″tall. You should do the 5-step test and make sure they pass it before moving them out of a booster or carseat.
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2.Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3.Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4.Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5.Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If the seatbelt doesn’t fit properly, keep them in a booster, though harnesses are recommended through the age of 8.
Sep 22, 2011 @ 21:01:05
Well is 6 yrs and 60 lbs her in California and you should follow the 5 step test. I will be keeping my twins in their Frontier 85’s until they no longer fit…safety first 🙂
Sep 22, 2011 @ 22:51:57
The rule here in CA is 6 years or 60 pounds, however I do not think that any child under 12 should be in the front seat.
Sep 22, 2011 @ 23:19:23
Oops, forgot to add that you should do the 5-step test as well:
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2.Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3.Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4.Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5.Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
Sep 22, 2011 @ 22:54:45
I believe the standard is 8 years old and 80 lbs., but the 5-Step Test is also used to assess if a child is ready:
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
Sep 23, 2011 @ 00:41:46
I’m reading it a little different. I conisder a ‘carseat’ a harnessed seat. Children should stay harnessed as long as they fit the height and weight recommendations of the seat they are using. They will then move to a booster seat and remain in the booster seat until they meet the 5 step test (which is listed above!). Fingers crossed…awesome giveaway!!!!!! 🙂
Sep 23, 2011 @ 01:36:33
Laws vary by state, but it is good to see if they pass the 5 step test…
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2.Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3.Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4.Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5.Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
In TN children under 1 or 20 lbs have to be rear facing, 1yr to 3 and over 20lbs can be forward facing, age 4-8 and under 4’9″ must be in a booster.
Sep 23, 2011 @ 01:48:19
It depends. Use the 5 step test and if your answer is yes to all then they can be moved out of a car seat.
Sep 23, 2011 @ 02:31:56
There are a few things to look for but a good way to determine if you can move out of a car seat is to use the 5 step test.
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2.Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3.Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4.Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5.Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If the answer is yes to all of them then they can be ready
Sep 23, 2011 @ 14:59:28
Law is age 8 or 4’9″ tall, but they need to pass the 5 step test before moving out of a booster seat.
Sep 23, 2011 @ 19:37:57
UNTIL AGE 8 OR 4’9″ TALL – Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (usually at age 8 or when the children are 4’9″ tall). AND PLUS she gave us this great five step test to see if your kiddos are ready for a standard seat:
The 5-Step Test ©SafetyBeltSafe USA
Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
Sep 23, 2011 @ 19:43:20
In Washington State, the law is that the child must be 4’9″ or 8 years old to graduate from carseats altogether. However, they recommend that kids be in a 5 point harness until age 6.
Sep 24, 2011 @ 02:44:21
Last year in Colorado, the law changed to increase the age for mandatory booster seat use. Children over age 4 but under age 8 must ride in a forward-facing car seat or a booster car seat, unless they are over 4’9″ tall or weigh more than 80 lbs. Children who are not required to be in a car seat or booster seat, but are under 16 years old, must be buckled in a seat belt.
I believe that even if your child meets these requirements, they should remain in a booster until they properly fit the car-seat/seat belt. I have a friend with ID twins who are rather petite. At 10 years old they still need a booster as the seat belt hits them in the face without one.
Thank you for the information you have provided this week. I was surprised 9 years ago when I went for my very first car seat safety check, I thought I had everything installed correctly, tight as can be… I learned a lot from that 10 minutes with an expert.
Sep 24, 2011 @ 04:08:33
The 5-Step Test ©SafetyBeltSafe USA
1.Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2.Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3.Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4.Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5.Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
Sep 24, 2011 @ 14:09:15
To not be in any seat a child needs to pass the 5 step test
1.Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2.Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3.Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4.Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5.Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
And meet the minimum requirements by law.
Sep 24, 2011 @ 22:12:50
To not be in any seat a child needs to pass the 5 step test
1.Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2.Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3.Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4.Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5.Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
Sep 25, 2011 @ 03:19:39
I always follow the car seat lady’s recommendations, she answers questions by email as well and as long as kids are restrained they’re safer. http://www.thecarseatlady.com/booster_seats/booster_seats.html
Sep 25, 2011 @ 05:20:22
Technically in California the weight is 60 lbs as far as a car seat being required – but that doesn’t account for height issues, which often require use of a booster seat beyond the 60 lb mark for safety. Of course use of the 5 step test is recommended.
Sep 25, 2011 @ 21:10:31
Although laws very by state (in MN – children under the age of 8 or under 4’9″ require a booster seat), it is recommended that a child pass the 5 step test, before they are able to sit alone in a seat (without a booster or car seat).
The 5-Step Test ©SafetyBeltSafe USA
1.Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2.Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3.Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4.Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5.Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If you answer “no” to any of these questions, your child STILL needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder belt and the lap belt fit right and to keep them safest.
Sep 26, 2011 @ 03:53:58
The 5-Step Test ©SafetyBeltSafe USA
1.Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2.Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3.Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4.Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5.Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?