What is the safest way to install a car seat? Latches and a seatbelt?!?

[Motherhood9]

I was under the notion that it was illegal to not have your children in a seatbelt, let alone a car seat not attached with a seatbelt! So many new cars have the hooks for latches to be attached to the top and bottom of your carseat. I think you should neverrrr go without a seatbelt, the latches are for added protection! Ahhh Whats the concensus?

Latches and carseat?
Just latches?
Just seatbelt?

[cherrywaves21]

Using both is actually dangerous and says so in the manuals.

IMO latches are safer.

[GirlWSemiAuto]

You don't do both. You do one or the other. Heavens to Betsy.

[mom2chasenkori]

You're not supposed to use both. I use just seatbelt cuz I couldn't get the latches tight enough in my car.

[waitWHAT]

Pick ONE. Not both. Seatbelt is just as safe as the LATCH system. Whichever gives you the best, most secure install is what it safest.

:)

[PEEK05]

Our cars do not have the LATCH system so we use the seatbelt only.

[StephB060811]

I use both. I dont see how it could be dangerous but someone feel free to prove me wrong.

[cnlsmommy]

As far as the why it's not safe, I don't really have an answer. I haven't been able to come across reliable information (just moms on boards) to say why it is or isn't safe.

What I can tell you is that the car seat manual tells you to use one or the other. By doing both you void any warranty or liability of the car seat company if the seat falls. In addition you could be faced with difficulties with insurance claims related to a crash if you don't follow the rules. Lastly, in some states it is actually illegal to not use a car seat in the appropriate manner and if you are in one of those states you could get in trouble with the courts.

Just my two cents.

Quoting StephB060811:

I use both. I dont see how it could be dangerous but someone feel free to prove me wrong.

[Cchancey10]

This. I use latches. They get tighter than the seatbelt and keep the seat from moving.

Quoting cherrywaves21:

Using both is actually dangerous and says so in the manuals.



IMO latches are safer.

[GirlWSemiAuto]

Read the carseat manual.

Quoting StephB060811:

I use both. I dont see how it could be dangerous but someone feel free to prove me wrong.

[cherrywaves21]

I'm working on finding a link.

The carseat companies have never tested it fully. It makes the carseat to tight. It needs to move a bit to absorb the shock properly.

ETA: link one /babyproducts.about.com/od/carseats/f/LATCH_SB.htm br />

Quoting StephB060811:

I use both. I dont see how it could be dangerous but someone feel free to prove me wrong.