What is a tether and what does it do?
Posted by Juliet Fernandez on
What is a tether?
The top tether is the adjustable strap that is attached to a car seat typically at the top or top back of a car seat. Connected to this strap is a hook that attaches to the anchor embedded in the vehicle seat.
It is a mandatory feature for car restraints in Australia.
What does a tether do?
The top tether plays a crucial role in enhancing the safety of forward-facing car seats. By preventing excessive forward movement during a collision, it reduces the risk of head and neck injuries to your child. This attachment secures the car seat firmly in place, significantly minimizing any dangerous shifting that could occur in an accident.
In the rearward facing position, the top tether improves the stability of the car seat by reducing the seat from rotating excessively during a crash
When is a tether not required?
The only time a top tether is not required is when a restraint - specifically a booster - is under 2kg.