News
5/19/2005 12:00:00 AM
Dorel Juvenile Group USA Works with North Dakota Retailers to Meet Expected Increase in Booster Seat Demand New State Law in Effect July 1st Requires Boosters for All Children under the Age of 7 or less than 57 Inches in Height and 80 Pounds
CANTON, MA (May 19, 2005) - Dorel Juvenile Group USA, an operating subsidiary of Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.SV, DII.MV; NASDAQ: DIIB), today announced that it has been working with North Dakota retailers to meet an increased demand for booster seats in anticipation of new state legislation. Beginning on July 1st, 2005, all children under the age of seven or less than fifty-seven inches in height and eighty pounds will be required to ride in a belt-positioning booster while traveling in the state of North Dakota. Thousands of parents are expected to respond to the law, creating a massive demand across the state. Dorel Juvenile Group USA, manufacturers and marketers of Safety 1st and Cosco brand car seats, learned from the experience of other state's retailers who quickly sold out of booster seat stock when a similar new law was to take effect. Dorel has been working with retailers throughout the state to forecast the significant ramp up of inventory. "States throughout the country are proposing and approving similar legislation in an effort to make booster seat use more uniform. Today's age requirements vary significantly by state, with the range fluctuating between four years old and forty pounds and eight years old and eighty pounds. That's a big differential that parents need to be aware of as they cross state lines," said Bruce Cazenave, President & CEO of Dorel Juvenile Group USA. "This is why some new parents buying their first car seat are opting for a convertible car seat that can take their child from birth to the full eight year mark, no matter where they travel." National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research shows that unrestrained motor vehicle travel presents the greatest risk to passengers ages four through eight. In 2000, almost half of the four- to eight year old passengers killed in crashes were reported as totally unrestrained. In addition to the high number of fatalities, thousands of children were seriously injured in crashes because they were unrestrained. To download images of various Dorel Juvenile Group USA booster seats along with our state by state booster seat legislation guide, please visit www.djgusa.com/boosterlaws/index.htm. For more information on Dorel Juvenile Group USA please visit www.djgusa.com.
