The LATCH System

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Law Office of D. Hardison Wood

Car seats have come a long way since the first sack and string models in 1898. It wasn’t until the 1930s that a car seat similar to today’s child restraint system was designed. In the 1960s and 1970s, more emphasis began to be put on child safety in vehicles and the importance of using car seats when traveling with children. And with car accidents being the number one killer of children, improvements are still needed.

In 1999, the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system was established. This system is governed by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 225, making it possible for child restraint systems to be installed more effectively and easily, thereby increasing child safety. All new vehicles must now be LATCH equipped, as well as all new car seats.

The LATCH system is comprised of two lower anchors and one upper anchor in the vehicle. The two lower anchors are round, rod-like bars hidden in the seat cushion. The upper anchor is a ring-like device, attached to the back of the rear seat. On the CRS itself, you will find clips that hook or snap onto the lower anchors and a hook or clamp that attaches to the upper anchor. Once all three anchors are attached, the belts connected to each should be tightened for maximum safety.
 

For more information on the LATCH system, visit these websites:

For the LATCH system to be effective, it is imperative that the child restraint system be put in the vehicle correctly. Whether you are heading out on a long road trip with the family or just down the street to soccer practice, the safety of your child depends on a correctly installed car seat.

For information on how to correctly install your LATCH car seat, click here:
 

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/womenfamilies/articles/104581/article.html

http://www.research.chop.edu/programs/carseat/

http://www.tobio.info/passat/howtos/LATCH.pdf

http://www.ehow.com/video_4440673_latch-system-works-car-seats.html
 

If you are interested in finding out more about the NHTSA National Standardized Child Passenger Safety certification course, visit this website:

www.cpsboard.org/techmanual.htm

For car safety tips and other tips for traveling with children, please visit these websites, and share them with anyone who will be responsible for traveling with or transporting your children by motor vehicle.

www.safekids.org/tips/tips_car.htm

www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/travelsafetytips.cfm
 

If you have been affected by a faulty child seat or any other injury and would like to discuss your potential legal claim please contact our office at 1-877-829-7211.

/ab
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Car Seat vs. Booster Seat

Posted on October 28, 2007 by Law Office of D. Hardison Wood
Recently, I overheard a conversation which reminded me about the importance of this question of car seat versus a booster seat.  As I waited for my daughter during one of her after school activities I heard  a group of mothers and fathers discussing the fact that they were switching their children to the booster seats that use the car's seat belt rather than a five  point harness.  They were discussing that this was a change they needed to make because when they pick their children up from school through the car  pool lane, it is  too difficult to find a  place to park the car, get out and buckle their children into their five point harnessed car seats.  (The car pool lane is utilized by most preschools and schools where we live.  Basically, the  parents line up in their vehicles, and the children are called up as their  parent's vehicle approaches.  The child gets in and the parent drives off).  They were talking about how much easier it  is  now that their children can get in and  buckle themselves.  We had thought the same  thing, putting  our daughter in one of those boosters, until we  learned about the number of children who are either injured or die in crashes because they slipped out of their booster seat/seat belt because, those  lap/shoulder belts in the cars (the  ones used in conjunction with the booster seats) are made for people with  a minimum weight  of 80-100lbs. We switched back to a booster  seat with a five point harness. We just taught our daughter how to buckle herself into her harness.  So we  can go through the  car pool lane  with no  issue. It truly is a huge safety issue that parents should be aware of before switching car seats. The following video is  just  another reminder:
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Dorel Juvenile Group- Car Seat Recall

Posted on September 4, 2007 by Law Office of D. Hardison Wood
On August 30, 2007 some Dorel Juvenile Group  (DJG) issued a recall which may affect a potential 1,267,978 units.
Here is a summary as reported:

COSCO: ALPHA OMEGA, ALPHA OMEGA ELITE, MODELS 22150, 22155, 22180, 22269; EDDIE BAUER: 3-IN-1, DELUXE 3-IN-1, DELUXE CONVERTIBLE, MODELS 22450, 22451, 22452, 22453, 22740, 22750, 22755, 22756, 22757, 22770; SAFETY 1ST: ALPHA ELITE, ALPHA OMEGA, ALPHA OMEGA ELITE, INTERA, ENSPIRA, MODELS 22151, 22450, 22451, 22452, 22453, 22455, 22460, 22470, 22480, 22740, 22481, CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS MANUFACTURED DURING NOVEMBER 2003 THROUGH DECEMBER 2005. THE HARNESS ADJUSTMENT STRAP CAN LOOSEN WHILE IN USE.
Consequence:  
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE CHILD MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy:  
DJG WILL NOTIFY ALL REGISTERED OWNERS AND OFFER THEM A FREE REPAIR KIT TO REPLACE THE HARNESS ADJUSTMENT STRAP. OWNERS WHO HAVE NOT REGISTERED THEIR CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM SHOULD VISIT DJG'S WEBSITE AT WWW.DJGUSA.COM OR CALL TOLL-FREE AT 800-219-0509. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2007.
Notes:  
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
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