COLUMBUS, Ind., April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG), Inc., a division of Dorel Industries (TSX: DII.B, DII.A), and the nation's largest car seat manufacturer, today opened a free, permanent car seat inspection station at the Dorel Technical Center for Child Safety at its corporate headquarters in Columbus, Indiana. The launch of the "Safety Starts Here" campaign will be followed by a series of car seat checks across the country beginning later this spring.  As part of the national car seat safety initiative, more than 80 Dorel employees have participated in training to become certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110428/NE91232 )

"Safety is more than a mission statement for us, it is an oath that our employees take to heart and make a part of their everyday lives," said Dave Taylor, President and CEO of Dorel Juvenile Group US.  "With the Technical Center we are able to develop cutting-edge safety technology, and the new Car Seat Check Station allows us to ensure proper usage with parents.  We're proud to be able to see safety through from production to a family's back seat."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 75 percent of car seats on the road today are installed incorrectly.  A survey of parents by AAA found that only about one in four (26%) respondents could identify proper child safety seat age and height recommendations and less than half (44%) knew the safest position for a single car seat was the center of the rear seat.

DJG employees will volunteer their time at the new car seat check station and at seat checks across the country.  "There is a huge knowledge gap between parents on the road and car seat safety," said Julie Vallese, Consumer Safety Expert of Dorel Juvenile Group.  "We at Dorel are proud that through the work we do, we can personally help ensure children on the road are a little safer."

The new Car Seat Inspection Station will be open to the public Wednesday through Friday by appointment and located at the Dorel Technical Center for Child Safety. Certified car seat technicians will inspect and assist parents and caregivers in installing correctly all car seats, regardless of the brand and model.  The Technical Center features the most advanced car seat research and design resources, including computational engineering resources, environmental lab testing, three independent crash test sleds, and advanced side impact testing capabilities.

Ninety per cent of Dorel's  North American car seats are manufactured in the U.S. The Columbus, IN campus can produce up to 20,000 car seats per day.

Dorel will take safety education on the road, partnering with AAA on a series of free car seat check events across the country beginning this spring.  DJG will deploy its team of Child Passenger Safety Technicians across the country to ensure car seats are properly installed and provide parents and caregivers with tips and advice for child passenger safety.

For more information, visit www.djgusa.com.

About Dorel Juvenile Group

Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) is 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 and Bebe Confort 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$2.3 billion company with 4700 employees, facilities in nineteen countries, and sales worldwide.  

SOURCE Dorel Juvenile Group