To install a Clek booster seat, particularly a full-back model equipped with LATCH, you will connect the booster to your vehicle's lower anchors and then secure your child using the vehicle's three-point seat belt system.
How to Install Your Clek Full-Back Booster Seat with LATCH
Proper installation ensures the booster seat remains stable in your vehicle, providing optimal safety for your child.
1. Prepare the LATCH Connectors
- Extend the LATCH Connectors: To begin, you'll need to extend the LATCH connectors from the booster seat. With one hand, pull the recline handle located at the front of the booster, and at the same time, use your other hand to grab the LATCH connectors and extend them outwards from the booster. This makes it easier to attach them to your vehicle's anchors.
2. Locate Vehicle Lower Anchors
- Identify Anchor Points: Locate the lower anchor bars in your vehicle's back seat. These are typically found in the crease between the seat back and the seat cushion, often marked with a small symbol or tag. Refer to your vehicle owner's manual for their exact positions.
3. Connect the LATCH System
- Attach Connectors: Push the extended LATCH connectors onto your vehicle's lower anchor bars until they click securely into place. You should hear an audible click, indicating a proper connection. Give each connector a tug to ensure it's firmly latched.
4. Tighten the LATCH Connection
- Remove Slack: Once both LATCH connectors are attached, push the booster seat firmly back into your vehicle's seat cushion. Simultaneously, pull the LATCH adjustment strap (usually located at the front of the booster) to remove any slack from the LATCH belt. The goal is to make the booster seat feel snug and secure against the vehicle seat.
- Check for Movement: After tightening, grab the booster seat at the LATCH belt path and try to move it from side to side and front to back. A properly installed booster seat should not move more than one inch in any direction.
5. Position Your Child and Secure with Vehicle Seat Belt
- Child Placement: Once the booster seat is securely installed in the vehicle, place your child in the seat. Ensure their back is flat against the booster's backrest.
- Route the Seat Belt: Guide your vehicle's lap and shoulder belt through the designated belt guides on the booster seat.
- The lap belt should lie low across your child's upper thighs, not across their stomach.
- The shoulder belt should cross the center of your child's shoulder and chest, not resting on their neck or falling off their shoulder. Adjust the headrest height of the booster if necessary to achieve the proper shoulder belt fit.
- Buckle Up: Buckle the seat belt and ensure there is no slack. It should be snug, but comfortable for your child.
Important Considerations for Booster Seat Safety
- Vehicle Seat Belt is Primary: While LATCH helps stabilize the booster, the vehicle's seat belt is the primary restraint system for your child in a booster seat.
- Child Requirements: Always ensure your child meets the minimum weight and height requirements for the specific Clek booster seat model, as outlined in its manual.
- Read the Manuals: Always consult both your Clek booster seat instruction manual and your vehicle owner's manual for specific installation instructions, compatibility, and weight limits for LATCH use.
- No LATCH Required: LATCH is optional for booster seats as the vehicle's seat belt secures the child. However, using LATCH prevents the booster from becoming a projectile in a crash when unoccupied.
For more detailed information on booster seat safety and proper usage, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.
