Westchester Insider: Westchester County: COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER RELEASES VIDEO AS PART OF ONGOING EFFORT TO PROMOTE SAFE SLEEPING FOR INFANTS.

 

COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER RELEASES VIDEO AS PART OF

ONGOING EFFORT TO PROMOTE SAFE SLEEPING FOR INFANTS.

 

Safe Sleep Practices Will Help Reduce the Risk of Infant Deaths

to Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS).

 

(White Plains, NY) – Placing the safety of Westchester County’s children and families at the forefront, County Executive George Latimer has released a new video as part of an ongoing effort aimed at preventing infant deaths due to unsafe sleeping environments. The ABCs of Safe Sleep, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and others, explains that the safest way for babies to sleep is Alone, on their Backs and in a Crib.

 

Watch the Public Service Announcement Here.

 

The video was created in partnership with the Westchester County Departments of Health, Social Services, Community Mental Health and the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD). According to the Westchester County Department of Social Services, Westchester County has lost 27 children since 2016 who were in an unsafe sleeping environment, including eight related fatalities in 2021. 

 

Latimer said: “For any parent, the death of a child is absolutely devastating. That is why it is crucial to remember that your baby should always be sleeping alone, on his or her back and in a crib, every time you put your baby to sleep. It is our hope that by continuing this safe sleep campaign, we will ultimately be saving children’s lives across Westchester County.”

 

DSS Commissioner Leonard Townes said: “DSS Commissioner Leonard Townes said: “The loss of any child is devastating and traumatic to a family; we all have the responsibility to care for society’s youngest and most vulnerable members. Westchester County is committed to educating the public, along with its local and State partners about the ABCs of Safe Sleep.”

 

Commissioner of Health Sherlita Amler, MD said: “We know that babies who sleep on their backs are much less likely to die of SIDS than babies who sleep on their stomachs or sides. In addition to placing baby to sleep on his or her back, it is equally important that baby sleep alone in his or her crib. That means no bed sharing with adults or siblings, as well as keeping soft objects and loose bedding out of baby’s crib to reduce the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation.”

 

Coordinator of the Child Fatality Review Team for WIHD Lisa Syron said: “Given the importance of this campaign to help every child reach their first birthday, the CFRT is running a sister campaign to enlist the support of individuals, agencies, businesses, civic groups, houses of worship and media in educating our community about the ABCs of safe sleep throughout the year. We need every ‘trusted advisor’ in the community to join with us in making the ABCs of safe sleep as commonly practiced as wearing a seat belt.”

 

Westchester County has created a flyer, offered both in English and in Spanish, to help get the word out about best practices for safe sleeping. Through a partnership with Feeding Westchester, Westchester’s premiere food bank and distribution center, the County will be distributing 15,000 flyers to those families who receive weekly donations of food. The flyer is attached here.

 

President and CEO of Feeding Westchester Karen C. Erren said: “Educating the community about the health and safety of our children – whether through proper nutrition or safe sleeping habits – is critical to ensure their ability to thrive in the future. We are fortunate to be able to help the County reach thousands of families every day with essential information like ‘The ABCs of Safe Sleep’ initiative through our collaborative and vast network of community partners across the County.”

 

All parents and caregivers should use the tips listed below to keep your baby safe, and reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The flyer features the Do’s and Don’ts of Safe Sleep, along with an explanation of the ABCs of Safe Sleep:

 

Alone:

·         Baby should always sleep alone in a crib.

·         Share the room, not the bed. Baby can share a room with parents, in a separate crib.

·         Baby should not co-sleep, or share a crib with a sibling or pet.

·         No blankets, pillows, toys or bumpers.

·         Dress baby in one more layer of clothing than you for warmth, and use a sleep sack.

 

Back:

·         Always place baby on his/her back.

·         No sleeping on side or tummy.

·         Tummy time is for supervised play-time only.

·         No pillows or wedges in the crib.

 

Crib:

·         Baby sleeps safety in a separate crib or bassinet.

·         Use tightly fitted sheets with no blankets.

·         Never allow baby to sleep on a couch.

·         No futons, chairs or waterbeds.

 

For more information, please visit https://health.westchestergov.com/safe-sleep