Dorel Juvenile Group and AAA to Host Free Car Seat Check Events

COLUMBUS, Ind. and FOXBORO, Mass., July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- As millions of families take to the road for the summer travel season, Dorel Juvenile Group, a division of Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) which is the world's largest car seat manufacturer, today announced a partnership with AAA to host a series of car seat checks across the country.    

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 75 percent of car seats on the road today are installed incorrectly.  A recent survey from Dorel Juvenile Group and AAA also found gaps in parents' knowledge of car seat safety.  In fact, the majority of parents surveyed don't know up to what age their child should ride in a car seat or booster seat (up to age 8 or 4 feet 9 inches tall) or the best place to install it (center of the rear seat).  

"There are several easy but important steps parents can take to help ensure car seats are properly installed," said Kathleen Marvaso, vice president, AAA Public Affairs.  "Car seat checks are a free educational service, providing parents and caregivers with confidence in knowing their children are safe in the back seat."

"Child safety is our number-one priority and we are pleased to be able to join AAA in this critical safety education initiative," said Dorel Juvenile Group President Dave Taylor.  

The Dorel Juvenile Group/AAA car seat check series kicked off last week in New York City, with events following in Boston, Chicago, Washington, DC, and Indianapolis.  

Dorel Juvenile Group offers a full line of car seats under its Safety 1^st, Maxi-Cosi, Eddie Bauer and Cosco brands.  Dorel Juvenile Group recently introduced Air Protect^®, a ground-breaking car seat technology that offers enhanced side impact protection. For car seat safety installation tips and more, visit www.safety1st.com.

About Dorel Juvenile Group

Dorel Juvenile Group is a division of Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A), a world class juvenile products and bicycle company.  Established in 1962, Dorel creates style and excitement in equal measure to safety, quality and value. The Company's lifestyle leadership position is pronounced in both its Juvenile and Bicycle categories with an array of trend-setting products. Dorel's powerfully branded products include Safety 1st, Quinny, Cosco, Maxi-Cosi, Bebe Confort and Hoppop in Juvenile, as well as Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, IronHorse and SUGOI in Recreational/Leisure. Dorel's Home Furnishings segment markets a wide assortment of furniture products, both domestically produced and imported. Dorel is a US $2 billion company with 4,500 employees, facilities in nineteen countries, and sales worldwide.

About AAA

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides nearly 52  million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

SOURCE Dorel Juvenile Group