According to the CDC, 608 kids aged 12 or younger died in car crashes in 2019, and a further 91,000 were injured. Many of the fatalities and injuries stemmed from children who weren’t buckled up, or whose car seats that weren’t installed properly.
As part of our commitment to customer safety, Bill Colwell Ford is taking a moment to address the LATCH system in new Ford models.
How to Attach a Child Seat or Booster Using the LATCH System
Before reading any further, remember: when in doubt, refer to your owner's manuals. Each Ford model has subtle differences, as does each car seat.
- First, since the back seat is the safest place in a crash, this is where your car seat will go, facing the rear of the vehicle if your child's size and weight allows.
- Next, locate the lower anchors in your vehicle, connecting the lower anchor attachments on the car seat base to them without twisting the straps.
- Now, lean your weight into the car seat so you can tighten the straps and minimize its movement on any axis; it should not be able to move more than an inch in any direction.
- Then, set the proper recline angle, using the angle indicator if the seat has one.
- Finally, attach the infant carrier to the base.
Now it's time to "install" your child in the seat.
- Make sure their back is flat against the seat.
- Place the harness over your child's shoulders without twisting the straps.
- Buckle the harness and chest clip, ensuring they're snug, and that the chest clip is at armpit level.
- If you're using a blanket, put this over your child after they're buckled in to ensure a proper fit.
- Use rolled blankets, towels, or wash cloths to provide added support around the head, shoulders, and groin area where needed.
Supplemental Reading
There are many resources for the safe use of child seats generally, and the LATCH system in particular. We recommend this short explainer video from the Ford Motor Company, as well as the LATCH resource page from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Ford Service Is Child Safety
One last thing that we cannot emphasize enough: if you’re concerned with car safety, whether for yourself or your little ones, Ford service is essential. Ensuring that your brakes, tires, steering, and countless other systems are functioning right will help to ensure a better, and safer, drive for everyone. Visit Bill Colwell Ford today!