TORONTO, Sept. 23 /CNW/ -- Dorel Distribution Canada, a division of Dorel Industries (TSX: DII.B, DII.A), the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of juvenile products within its principal categories, announced the Complete Air(TM) Convertible Car Seat with Air Protect(TM) technology is now available for Canadian families exclusively in Babies "R" Us at Toys "R" Us. Air Protect (TM) is the most innovative and groundbreaking safety technology ever offered in a car seat, and was developed in conjunction with leading collision researchers. Air Protect(TM) is designed to protect children during side-impact collisions by putting a state-of-the-art layer of air protection around the child's head. According to a recent survey 96 per cent of Canadian parents said side impact protection was an important feature, this type of protection has not previously been available.

In Canada, side-impact collisions account for 30 percent of all passenger fatalities and yearly, over 100 of those killed are children. In a side-impact collision, head injuries are the most common among all injuries in children, which is the reason Dorel created Air Protect(TM). While parents don't plan to be in side impact crashes, they can now prepare for the unexpected.

This unique technology compresses and shields children from side impact intrusion and immediately reduces crash forces where the child is most vulnerable - the head. Air Protect(TM) does this by extending ride-down, the amount of time it takes to slow a child's movement in a crash. By extending ride-down time, Air Protect(TM) creates a slower, softer landing. During a side-impact collision, the door typically moves inward, toward the child. In order to simulate a side impact crash with far more accuracy, and ensure the comprehensive testing scenario, car seat engineers and leading researchers have tested this product using an intruding door technique instead of a fixed door.

The survey conducted by Angus Reid, commissioned on behalf of Dorel Distribution Canada, also found:

-  Canadians indicated that side impact protection was as important as
front and rear impact protection, when purchasing a car seat for a
child.
-  Fifty three per cent of Canadians feel they are able to make an
informed purchase decision about car seats.
-  Only sixteen per cent of parents said they are likely to consult a
professional on how to properly install a car seat.
-  Fifty eight per cent of Canadians would look to trusted brands when
buying a car seat.

As published in the Journal of Trauma Infection and Critical Care, child occupants are at an increased risk for fatal and severe injury in side-impact crashes. Children are injured in side-impact crashes by two main mechanisms - intrusion of the vehicle and lateral translation.