The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and three
child safety organizations have released "Safe Sleep for Babies" -- a new crib
safety video aimed at helping all new parents avoid suffocation, strangulation
and entrapment risks in the sleep environment.
The education effort is part of CPSC's Safe Sleep
Initiative, a multi-pronged effort aimed at reducing deaths and injuries
associated with unsafe sleep environments. In addition to this education
effort, CPSC's Safe Sleep Initiative includes the development of new crib
standards, warnings about drop-side cribs, sleep positioners, and infant
slings, and the recall of millions of cribs in the past five years.
CPSC says it is aware of about 30 crib deaths and hundreds
of injuries. Cribs are a leading cause of nursery product-related deaths. About
one-third of the deaths result from structural failures of the crib from loose,
missing, or detached hardware. The majority of deaths in cribs are attributed
to the presence of extra bedding in the crib, such as pillows and comforters.
CPSC will distribute the "Safe Sleep" video,
moderated by Joan Lunden, online and through its network of about 100 hospitals
nationwide.
Comprehensive training
"By spearheading a comprehensive training program for health
professionals on safe sleep practices and distributing the video to hospitals
nationwide we will help educate new parents before they leave the hospital,"
said Joyce Davis, President of Keeping Babies Safe.
"Annually we care for thousands of babies by ensuring their
health and safety from the day they are born," said Dr. Herbert Pardes,
President and CEO of New York-Presbyterian Hospital. "I want to thank CPSC, KBS
and AAP for leading this important effort to equip parents with the information
they need to provide their babies with a safe sleep."
NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
plans to make the video available to all families as part of their parent
education programs, and provide copies to hospitals in the NewYork-Presbyterian
Hospital Healthcare System.
"The AAP is proud to have a
long history of activism on Safe Sleep issues. For decades, the AAP has been
involved in the development of safety standards for cribs and bassinets,
warnings about unsafe crib accessories and bumpers, and helpful practices to
keep babies secure," says AAP President O. Marion Burton, MD, FAAP. "The
National Safe Sleep Education Campaign gives us a new avenue for educating new
and expecting parent."
"There is no greater concern for a parent than our
children's safety," said Lunden. "I am honored to be working with the
CPSC, the AAP, and Keeping Babies Safe to bring this information to parents
across America."
Crib safety tips
In order to create a safe sleep environment for your baby,
the video urges parents and caregivers to follow these crib safety tips:
- Place infants to sleep on their backs
- Use a firm, tight-fitting mattress
- Never use extra padding, blankets or pillows under baby
- Remove pillows or thick comforters
- Do not use positioning devices -- they are not necessary and can be deadly
- Regularly check cribs for loose, missing or broken parts or slats
- Do not try to fix a broken crib
- Place cribs or playpens away from windows and window covering cords to avoid fall and strangulation hazards
- Place baby monitor cords away from cribs or playpens to avoid strangulation
The agency is collaborating with the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP), Keeping Babies Safe (KBS), NewYork- Presbyterian/Morgan
Stanley Children's Hospital and journalist and mom Joan Lunden to educate new
and expectant parents and caregivers on crib safety while they are at the
hospital or visiting their pediatrician's office. The video demonstrates how to
keep babies safe and sound in cribs, bassinets and play yards.
