LATCH - Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren

Download LATCH Resources for Parents - PDF

What is LATCH?

• LATCH, which stands for “Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren”, is designed to make proper installation of child safety seats easier.
• LATCH is standard in all vehicles manufactured after September 1, 2002, and eliminates the need for the use of passenger seatbelts to secure the car seat.
• The LATCH system has two permanent anchors at the base of vehicle’s rear seats and a top anchor behind each seating position in all vehicles. These anchors are specifically designed for car seat tethers and hooks.

Where is LATCH located?

• In the car seat: infant, convertible and harnessed booster car seats have LATCH and tether straps that are compatible with all vehicles. In addition, all front-facing seats that have an internal harness have a top tether strap.
• In the vehicle: consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine the location of the lower anchors and tethers in your car. Vehicle manufacturers are required to provide at least two lower anchor seating positions in the rear seat, generally the two outer seating positions. Vehicle manufacturers are also required to provide three tether anchorages in the rear seat.

What if I have an older car seat that doesn’t have LATCH?

• Evenflo provides LATCH retrofit kits for Evenflo car seats not equipped with LATCH, as well as tether extenders for anchors in hard-to-reach areas of certain vehicles.
• Evenflo recommends the use of top tethers on forward facing car seats in the vehicle if it is available