National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program

Module 6Lower Anchors & Tethers for CHildren

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Module 6 Objectives

• Describe lower anchors and tether anchors.• Recognize lower anchor and tether anchor symbols

and locations.• Explain lower anchor and tether anchor best

practices to caregivers.

Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren

• LATCH is an alternative system to install car seats in vehicles using 2 lower anchors and 1 tether (only lower anchors usually required for rear-facing).

• When used together, lower anchors and tether = LATCH.

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LATCH System (continued)

• The car seat must have a set of lower anchor connectors that attach to the vehicle’s set of lower anchors.

• Each LATCH set in the vehicle is made up of2 lower anchor bars and 1 tether anchor.

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LATCH System (continued)

• LATCH in the Center Seating Position:- Some vehicles offer standard LATCH in the center.

- Others allow LATCH in the center, by using the center anchors from the outboard positions.

- Not all car seats allow borrowing the center anchors for LATCH attachment.

- Check both owner’s manuals if there isn’t a standard center LATCH position.

- Two lower car seat connectors should never be attached to one lower anchor in the vehicle.

6-4a

LATCH System (continued)

• NEVER use the seat belt and LATCH at the same time to install a car seat

• ALWAYS check the vehicle owner’s manual to identify LATCH positions

• A seating position with only a tether anchor is not called LATCH.

• Tether is used with lower anchors or with seat belts.

6-4b

Tether

• Holds the back of the car seat (some booster seats) against the vehicle seat

• Reduces the amount of forward/side movement

• Reduces the distance the child’s head moves forward in a crash by4 to 6 inches.

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• Encourage caregivers to use tethers whenever possible.

Truck Tethers

• Pickup trucks may have webbing loops used for tether anchors.

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Tips for Discussing LATCH

• Lower anchors and tethers have weight limits. - If not stated in the owner’s manual, do not use

lower anchors or tethers if the child + car seat weight more than 65 pounds.

- Vehicle LATCH weight limits can be found at www.cpsboard.org

• If there are no lower anchors in the center position, use the seat belt and tether to install the car seat.

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Universal LATCH Symbols

• If an anchor is hidden behind the fabric or a cover in the vehicle, a symbol near the anchor location should identify its position.

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Tether Anchor Locations

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Visible & HiddenLower Anchor Positions

• Labels, buttons, ortags identify lower anchor locations when hidden.

• Most vehicles cannot be retrofitted with lower anchors.

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Tether Anchor Locations

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Practice Activities

Locate LATCH and Tether Anchor information in Owner’s Manuals

Locate lower anchors and tether anchors in vehicles

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Common Lower Anchor & Tether Anchor Errors

Key Questions Related to LATCH

• Does the caregiver’s vehicle have LATCH?• Which seating positions allow the use of LATCH?• What is the importance of tethers?• Where can you find lower anchors in a vehicle?• What might indicate lower anchors in the vehicle?• Which is safe and preferable to use for a car seat –

lower anchor connectors or the seat belt?

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Progress Check

Answer these questions in your TG:

1. What should you tell caregivers regarding where to find all the tether anchors and lower anchors in their car, van, SUV, or truck?

2. What can you tell a caregiver who has a 1998 Chrysler 4-door Sebring with no tether anchor and who wants to have one installed?

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Progress Check(Continued)

Answer these questions in your TG:

3. The vehicle has a lower anchor and tether anchor weight limit to 40 pounds. The car seat is rated to 65 pounds. At what weight limit would you need to install the seat using a seat belt instead of lower connectors?

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