Office of Gov. Perry, Texas DPS & 21st Century Insurance to Host Child Safety Seat Inspection Fair in Dallas

DALLAS--As part of a statewide partnership designed to reduce the leading cause of death among children, the Governor’s Office, the Texas DPS and 21st Century Insurance will bring their consumer safety program to Arlington this weekend. The safety partnership targets this leading cause – motor vehicle crashes – by promoting compliance with Texas Law for Child Safety Restraints.

Texas law requires that a child passenger restraint (child safety seat or booster seat) be used on all children younger than five years of age and less than 36 inches tall. Children who have outgrown child safety seats should be properly restrained in booster seats until they are at least 8 years old or more than 4 feet, 9 inches tall.

Certified technicians will conduct child safety seat inspections for families at the event. The event will be held at the Six Flags Shopping Mall located at 2911 E. Division St. in Arlington (in the parking lot of USA Baby) from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, this Saturday, December 2.

“Child safety seats save lives,” said Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Lonny Haschel, Texas Highway Patrol. “A properly installed child safety seat can make the difference between a safe, healthy child and one who’s injured or killed.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children two years of age and older. More than 50% of passenger vehicle occupants killed from birth through age 15 were unrestrained while riding in the motor vehicle.

Saturday’s child safety seat fair will take place from 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the Six Flags Shopping Mall located at 2911 E. Division St. in Arlington (in the parking lot of USA Baby). Certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect and teach parents to install their child safety seats. If necessary, technicians will replace broken, recalled or non-age-appropriate seats with brand-new child safety seats donated by 21st. Technicians will teach parents and caregivers how to use and install the seats. Service is first-come, first-serve and children must accompany their parent or guardian in the vehicle for a proper fitting.

The Texas program is similar to the successful programs in seven other states. Since 21st premiered its safety initiative in California five years ago, more than 8,500 child safety seats have been inspected; 21st has donated more than 7,000 new child safety seats; and more than 3,000 dangerous seats have been destroyed. This Saturday’s safety fair is the last of four events held throughout Texas during 2006. Events were also held this year in Austin, Lewisville and San Antonio.

To help inform the public, 21st has created “Child Safety Seats: A Parent’s Guide” to explain proper seat installation and use. The guide, available in English or Spanish, can be obtained at the safety fairs as well as directly from 21st by contacting the company’s corporate headquarters at 1-800-211-SAVE or visiting its Web site, www.21st.com/safety.

About 21st

Founded in 1958, 21st Century Insurance Group is a direct-to-consumer provider of personal auto insurance. With $1.4 billion of revenue in 2005, the company insures over 1.5 million vehicles in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. 21st provides superior policy features and 24/7 customer service at a competitive price. Customers can purchase insurance, service their policy or report a claim at 21st.com or on the phone with our licensed insurance professionals at 1-800-211-SAVE, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Service is offered in English and Spanish both on the phone and on the Web. 21st Century Insurance Company, 21st Century Casualty Company and 21st Century Insurance Company of the Southwest are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s.

21st Century Insurance Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol TW and is headquartered at 21st Century Plaza, 6301 Owensmouth Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.