What is a top tether? It is an adjustable strap, which is attached to the upper back of a child seat. It has a hook attachment for securing to an attachment mounting in the rear shelf area of most passenger cars. Some attachment mountings in vehicles, such as station wagons or vans, may be located on the floor of the vehicle or on back of the vehicle seat. A properly used top tether strap helps limit movement of a child’s head in a forward crash, further reducing the risk of injury.

Is my current seat safe? Yes. Child safety seats on the market today are safe when used according to manufacturers’ recommendations. Current seats already have to meet a head protection requirement that works well to reduce the likelihood of head injury.

Can my current child seat be fitted with a top tether attachment? Possibly. Contact the manufacturer of your child seat to see if this is possible.

Will the new child seats fit my older vehicle? Yes. New child safety seats can be used in older vehicles. They will need to be installed using the vehicle’s belt system without the top tether attachment. (You may be able to install a tether anchor mounting in your older vehicle). These seats must be able to meet the current requirements of the standard for head protection when tested without the tether attached.