question re: britax marathon and tether straps

[nona]

feel free to move this post..

ok we just bought a britax marathon b/c our LO outgrew the carseat. however, we still need to have it rear-facing. our seat came w/ Versa-Tether straps which our optional but help further secure the seat. Has anyone used these? They look dangerous to me...ie if we had a car accident, the way they are positioned look as if they could decapitate my child. sorry i know that is dramatic but i am uncomfortable with them.  i'm not sure if we should use them or not....

thoughts from anyone???

TIA, Heather

[debo620]

we have the same britax marathon. the tether straps are required here in Canada when the child is forward facing. they just link through that anchor at the back of the seat. wheh my ds was rear facing the tether straps fits inside this little pouch which just sort of hung from the head end of the car seat---although not in his way at all.

[Mum to Ella Rose]

the tether straps are required here in Canada when the child is forward facing.

  I didn't know that!!  We use them, but I didn't know it was required! eeek!

We didn't use them rear facing either.

Sharon

[Liam's Mama]

We have the Britax Marathon as well, we did not use the tethers while ds was rear facing. We have always used them now since ds is facing forward, but I also had no idea it was law (I'm in Canada as well). Some cars (like my mum's suv for example) don't even have the anchor to attach them (her suv isn't even that old)   

[Gippie]

My cousing had her Marathon installed at the police station here in the USA and they tethered it when it was rear facing down to the floor.  I have mine forward now ad the tether pulls it back.

[nona]

thanks for the info. i don't think my car has the hooks for the tether on the floor. guess we just need to take it to the firestation/police station for a second opinion. maybe i'll post a pic of it and see what ya'll think!