The New Year will bring new changes when it comes to the law and your child’s car seat.
Starting in 2014, the new recommendation states that the LATCH system should no longer be used when the child and car seat combined weight is over 65lbs.
To make sure that you are compliant with this new amendment, Weigh your child, then weight the seat, then add them together. If they’re over 65lbs combined, start using the seat belt restraint versus the LATCH system.
The change is an amendment to the law instated in 2001 that recommended all children up to 65lbs remain in car seats/boosters, but that did not take into account the weight of car seats. Car manufacturers cannot guarantee the strength of the anchors when adding the additional weight of the seat, thus the need to modify the law.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain in harness (including 5 point harness or booster with seatbelt) until the age of 8, which prompted car seat manufacturers to design car seats meant for higher weights. Car seat laws vary state-by-state and your specific state requirements for car seats can be found here.
Does anyone know where to take expired car seats? I hate to just throw it away…would rather recycle it or something.
As of right now we are not aware of any programs in or around Birmingham that offer recycling. We’ve done some research on this in the past few years and it appears that it’s a pretty massive undertaking to be able to provide that service. We hope one day it will be an option.
check out this article on some ways to get rid of expired car seats:
http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/966293/what-to-do-with-an-expired-car-seat
Any idea if the weight threshold includes the base or not? My base weighs 7 pounds and the difference would determine whether to use the latch system or seat belt. Thanks for putting out the word about this!
Hi Jessica! Was looking around for that information and can’t seem to find the exact answer to that question. My thought would be that anything that is attached to that latch/anchor that was more than 65lbs would be a no-go. We’ll keep looking and if we come across anything will let you know.
Basically the LATCH system is only rated up to 65lbs (so might or might not break at higher weights), and the seatbelt is rated much higher since it needs to keep grown adults in their seat during an accident. I would just start using the seatbelt to secure the car seat instead of the LATCH system, even if you’re close to the 65lbs limit. I’m pretty sure you can use the seatbelt at any weight, and most car seats are compatible with both LATCH and seatbelt.