GUELPH, ON, June 17 /CNW/ - A new law mandating booster seats for
children until their ninth birthday becomes effective on July 1 in
Newfoundland and Labrador. The legislation applies to children riding in cars,
trucks, taxis, vehicles used by day cares and some school contract vehicles.
    According to the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, children
who travel in child restraint seats are 90 per cent less likely to die in a
vehicle crash. They're also 75 per cent less likely to suffer serious injuries
if the seats are correctly installed and appropriate for their height, weight
and development.
    Provincial legislation requires that infants and toddlers use child car
seats that meet Canadian standards until they weigh 18 kg (40 lbs).
    As of July 1, parents and caregivers in the province will also face
tickets of $115 and two demerit points if their children are not properly
restrained in booster seats. Booster seats are for kids who have outgrown car
seats but are too young or too small to use a regular seat belt. They position
the child safely to avoid injuries from lap and shoulder belts that are
designed for taller adults.

    The new law makes booster seats mandatory for children who:

    -   have not reached their ninth birthday; and
    -   weigh 18 to 37 kg (40 to 81 lbs); and
    -   are less than 145 cm (4'9") tall.

    To help keep kids safe, The Co-operators holds free Buckle Up Bears car
seat clinics in a number of communities in Newfoundland and throughout Canada.
Last year, trained inspectors installed nearly 900 child and booster seats and
helped educate drivers on their proper use.
    "Proper installation of children's seats is more complicated than some
people realize. In fact, more than 85 per cent of the seats inspected at our
clinics last year were improperly installed," said Kathy Bardswick, president
and CEO of The Co-operators. "Our car seat inspectors can help make sure your
little ones are protected."
    The Co-operators is donating 30 booster seats to low-income families in
Newfoundland and Labrador to help them comply with the new legislation. In an
effort to empower Canadian parents, caregivers and educators, The
Co-operators, in partnership with the Infant and Toddler Safety Association,
recently released an instructional DVD entitled Child Seat Safety Check. It
provides advice on selecting and installing car seats and offers the most
up-to-date information on child restraints available.
    To order a DVD free of charge, contact community@cooperators.ca.

    About The Co-operators:

    The Co-operators is a group of Canadian companies offering home, auto,
life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment
products. The Co-operators Group Limited is a 100 per cent Canadian-owned
co-operative. It is owned by a group of Canadian co-operatives, credit union
centrals and like-minded organizations. It is well known for its community
involvement, and is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada.

For further information: Leonard Sharman, The Co-operators,
1-877-795-7272, ext. 2707