Some booster seats have the latch system, while others don’t have the latch system. Actually, LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Chilean. It is an initiative to make the installation of booster seats easier and more consistent for parents. Cars manufactured in 2002 or later have anchors for the latch system. When it comes to booster seat latch vs. no latch, both of them are very safe.
It’s not right to say one is safer than the other. The latch is meant to secure a booster seat to the backseat of the vehicle. And the no-latch booster seats also have a mechanism for fastening them to the backseat of a car. So, both of them are safe.
Booster Seat Latch Vs. No Latch
Every car has anchors on which you’ll hook the booster seats with a latch system. They are usually, behind the backseat, under the backseat, or under the floor panel.
Refer to the user manual of your car to find out where the latch anchors are. Since they are two, you’ll hook both sides of the booster seat to both anchors.
A no-latch booster seat is installed with a latch system. You’ll have to pass a belt through it to secure it to the back seat. That’s basically the difference between both types of booster seats. And they are both safe for your child.
Does a Booster Seat Need to be Latched?
It depends on the type of booster seat. If it’s a booster seat with a latch system, then it must be latched. The latch system is an additional safety mechanism, and it’s necessary.
On the other hand, if it’s a no-latch booster seat, you don’t need to latch it onto your car seat. It already has its safety mechanism.
Is a Booster Seat with Latch Safer?
Of course, a booster seat with a latch is very safe because of its extra safety feature. However, it’s not safer than booster seats with no latch. This is because the latter has its fastening mechanism as well.
Instead of hooking the seat to the anchors as it’s done with a booster seat with a latch, you’ll run a belt through the seat and buckle it to the vehicle’s backseat.
Does Graco TurboBooster Have Latch System?
Yes, a Graco TurboBooster seat has a latch system. The product connects the seat with a one-hand, front-adjustment latch system. This makes it easier for the child to buckle and unbuckle the seat. Besides, this type of latch system is very easy to understand.
How Do You Install a High-Back Booster Without a Latch?
Step 1 – You need to place the booster seat at the center of the vehicle’s backseat. This is for added safety.
Step 2 – Push the booster seat to be back until its backrest is in contact with the back of your vehicle’s backseat.
Step 3 – Place your child in the seat and fix the car’s lap belt around your child. Ensure that the shoulder belt sits across your child’s neck.
Step 4 – Buckle the vehicle’s seat belt to the booster seat for added safety.
Final Words
Both no-latch booster seats and booster seats with a latch are safe for your children. They have different mechanisms for fastening the seat to your vehicle’s seat.
You only need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and your child will be safe. Finally, in case you can’t find the latch anchor in your vehicle, refer to the user manual of your vehicle.
