Waterford Today

Oakland County issued the following announcement on Sept. 20.

In support of September is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month, Oakland County Health Division reminds residents to follow safe sleep practices for infants during naps and bedtime. The number one cause of death for children under the age of one are sleep-related deaths. Over 75 infants died due to sleep-related causes in Oakland County from 2010-2017.

“When your baby sleeps in a safe sleep environment, it reduces the likelihood of sleep-related deaths,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for Oakland County. “Placing your baby on their back to sleep and always having them sleep alone in their crib, bassinet, or pack-n-play helps create a safer sleeping space.”

Examples of sleep-related infant deaths include accidental suffocation by another person rolling over onto the baby when sleeping on the same surface and strangulation from blankets wrapping around the baby’s airway. Follow these steps to help keep babies safe while sleeping:

• Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
• Use a crib, bassinet, or pack-n-play that meet current safety standards.
• Your baby should sleep alone in their crib, bassinet, or pack-n-play.
• Do not let your baby sleep in an adult bed, couch, or chair, with you or alone.
• Use a firm mattress with a tight fitted sheet.
• Remove all loose bedding, stuffed animals, pillows, and bumper pads from the crib, bassinet, or pack-n-play.
• Dress your baby in sleep clothing appropriate for the indoor temperature.
• Keep the room temperature comfortable so your baby does not overheat
• Do not smoke or vape around your baby.

To review current crib, bassinet and pack-n-play safety standards, visit https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/cribs.

To learn if a crib, bassinet or pack-n-play has been recalled, visit www.cpsc.gov/recalls/.

For more information, visit www.oakgov.com/health, or contact Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter.

For media inquiries only please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media and communications officer, at 248-858-1048.

 Original source can be found here.