Using the latch system versus vehicle belt system

Suzie Kim, Santa Monica Police Department, explains whether it is safer to use the latch system or vehicle belt system to securely put a car seat into your car
Car Seat Safety - Using The Latch System vs Vehicle Belt System
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Using the latch system versus vehicle belt system

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One of the questions parents asked frequently is do I have to use the Latch system or do I use the vehicle belts system in my car? If you are putting the seat, the car seat in the center seat of the vehicle, almost always you will have to use the vehicle belt system. Latch systems are designed to use on the two outboard positions in the rear seat of your car. Latch is designed to hold the child up to 48 pounds in weight where the vehicle belt system is designed to carry the weight of a full-sized adult. Either system is going to be satisfactory to use. Latch was designed to make it easier for most parents to install a car seat in their car. You can’t use both the Latch and the vehicle belt system at the same time. That’s according to the manufacturer restrictions that are listed in your instruction manual. You use either the Latch system or the vehicle belt system , otherwise the two systems tend to get twisted with each other and they would not hold seat securely even though it sounds like, using more restraints would be better. In this instance, you only want usable one.

Suzie Kim, Santa Monica Police Department, explains whether it is safer to use the latch system or vehicle belt system to securely put a car seat into your car

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Suzie Kim

Crime Prevention, Santa Monica Police Dept.

Suzie Kim has spent more than five years teaching parents and caregivers how to safely install their car seat systems.  Suzie and her partner hold monthly car seat inspection events at the Santa Monica Police Department, providing education on the proper use and installation of the various types of car seats as well as sharing information on seat belts, air bags, and the proper time to switch car seat systems. She tries to fit in as many appointments as possible and has assisted parents/caregivers with over 1,500 car seat installations! Suzie has been with the Santa Monica Police Department for 14 years working in Crime Prevention and Community Relations. She serves on the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, YMCA Early Childhood Development Board, and as an Explorer Advisor for the Santa Monica Police Department. In her free time Suzie enjoys spending time with her four sons, swimming, travelling, and other outdoor adventures.

Car Seats, Car Seats, Car Seats
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Transcription: 
One of the questions parents asked frequently is do I have to use the Latch system or do I use the vehicle belts system in my car? If you are putting the seat, the car seat in the center seat of the vehicle, almost always you will have to use the vehicle belt system. Latch systems are designed to use on the two outboard positions in the rear seat of your car. Latch is designed to hold the child up to 48 pounds in weight where the vehicle belt system is designed to carry the weight of a full-sized adult. Either system is going to be satisfactory to use. Latch was designed to make it easier for most parents to install a car seat in their car. You can’t use both the Latch and the vehicle belt system at the same time. That’s according to the manufacturer restrictions that are listed in your instruction manual. You use either the Latch system or the vehicle belt system , otherwise the two systems tend to get twisted with each other and they would not hold seat securely even though it sounds like, using more restraints would be better. In this instance, you only want usable one.