September is Safe Sleep Month!

Governor Jennifer Granholm has declared September as Infant Safe Sleep Month in Michigan to help stem the growing tide of deaths caused by infants sleeping in unsafe environments.

Officials estimate that a child dies every week in Michigan due to unsafe sleep practices. And in 2006, 52 Michigan babies, or one child every week died of accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFER SLEEP PRACTICES CHECK OUT THE COALITION FOR INFANT MORTALITY REDUCTION WEB PAGE.

Did you know?

Unsafe sleep deaths are the 3rd most common cause of infant death and the most preventable. The Michigan Child Death State Advisory Team reviewed 253 infant deaths in 2002 and 2003 for sleeping environments.. They found that unsafe sleep environments were common in these deaths:

  • 84 percent of these infants were not sleeping in cribs.
  • 48 percent were in soft or heavy bedding.
  • 52 percent were sharing their sleeping space with one or more persons.
  • Soft/heavy bedding was found to be a factor in 50% of the sleep related deaths

“Parents and caregivers in Washtenaw County can prevent unsafe sleep deaths by practicing these simple techniques” said Susan Lee, director of Maternal and Child Health Programs at the Washtenaw County Public Health Department. “We have materials and trainings available for interested care givers” Lee added. For more information contact Ruth Kraut, Infant Mortality Coalition Coordinator, at 734-544-3068.

"These are not just statistics," said Sandra Frank, executive director of Tomorrow's Child. "A baby's death absolutely devastates the family, and the loss to the community is immeasurable."

You can help make a difference! Remember these ABC guidelines:

Alone, on his or her Back, and in a Crib

Make sure everyone caring for your baby knows these guidelines!

More information can be found below:



This is printed from: http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/public_health/news/08_09_Sept_Safe_Sleep_Month
on Jan. 7, 2009 9:56 pm