Jeffrey Lupient: LATCH, Five Point Harness, and More

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Jeffrey Lupient: Three Seat Safety Features to Look For

A child car seat protects the most precious cargo of parents, says Jeffrey Lupient. Learning how the seat's features can protect a baby in the event of an accident is important because it gives you peace of mind and helps you make informed decisions regarding every stage of your child's car seat experience. 

Today, Jeffrey Lupient shares three safety features that every car seat needs. 

1. LATCH 

The Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children, or the LATCH system, has been a standard in passenger vehicles for over 20 years. A metal bar can be found inside the vehicle seat, with hooks available just between the seat cushions. If your child is under a certain weight, you can utilize these hooks to install your car seat easily into the vehicle.

The LATCH system can be easier to install than seatbelts for certain car seats. It's also just as safe as the seatbelt. That said, you can only use it under a certain weight limit and only in a designated location in the vehicle. With that in mind, it's important to get these factors right when opting for LATCH install, explains Jeffrey Lupient.

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2. Five-Point Harness

This essential feature is also one of the foundations of car seat safety. You can find this feature in the two harness straps that connect at the shoulders, crotch, and hips of a child. In the United States, the five-point harness system is the only one allowed on the market.

Jeffrey Lupient mentions that this system keeps the proper upright position. It also lets the straps position properly on the child. The harness will restrain your child even with the jostling or whiplash from a car crash. It also absorbs some of the energy of the crash's impact. The five-point harness system is a car seat's most powerful safety tool when buckled correctly. 

3. Side-Impact Protection

Speaking of absorbing energy from impact are car seats that have side-impact protection. These parts are built with plastic, metal, and foam, distributing crash force. The side of the car seat usually sticks out to shield the baby's body as much as possible. 

According to Jeffrey Lupient, side impact protection may sometimes be built into the car seat shell, or it may need an extra step, such as extending a special pod on the door side of the child's car seat. Collisions typically happen at the rear or front of the car, but they can also happen to the sides.=

Learn more about car seats and choosing the right one by subscribing to this Jeffrey Lupient page.