A few days ago, firefighters took time out of their busy schedules to volunteer and pack bags filled with items designed to save babies lives during sleep, which is all part of the Sleep Baby Safely Campaign.

Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Rebecca Albert, joins Gayle Guyardo, the host of the nationally syndicated health and wellness show, Bloom, to share more about the campaign.

Watch the interview in its entirety at https://www.wfla.com/bloom/sleep-baby-safely-campaign/

Over a ten-year period in Pinellas County, there have been more than 100 babies lost from suffocation because of unsafe sleep practices.

Rather than responding to tragedy, firefighters in St. Petersburg are trying to prevent it.

On Tuesday, 14 firefighters packed bags with items to help babies sleep safely. There are onesies that say “this side up” which helps remind parents that sleeping on their back is best.

There are also sleep sacks and informational books in the bags as well.

This is all part of the “Sleep Baby Safely” campaign. The Juvenile Welfare Board, which created the campaign, has cut infant sleep-related deaths in half since it launched in 2018.

“Suffocation from unsafe sleep is the #1 cause of preventable child death, not just in Pinellas County but across Florida and the U.S.,” St. Petersburg Rescue Chief Ian Womack, who is part of the campaign, said in a statement. 

“It’s a tragedy that’s 100% preventable, and we’re committed to doing whatever we can to educate and prevent these needless deaths.”

Over a ten-year period in Pinellas County, there have been more than 100 babies lost from suffocation because of unsafe sleep practices, according to the JWB. This campaign is one way to help.

Read the article and watch the video here: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/pinellas-county-st-pete-firefighters-sleep-baby-safely/67-cf9f708a-3d76-4af8-9a99-6e024f741185

The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County enlisted the help of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue to help babies sleep safely across Pinellas County.

September is “Baby Safety Month” and October is “Infant Sleep Awareness Month.” According to the JWB in Pinellas County, over a dozen firefighters with St. Pete Fire Rescue packed bags filled with sleep-safe items for babies.

According to the county, nearly 7,000 bags to parents of newborns were given out, including onesies imprinted with “Sleep Me This Side Up,” sleep sacks, storybooks and door hangers.

Thousands of the bags are given away annually and more information can be found online.

Read the article and view the news coverage in its entirety at https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/st-pete-firefighters-pack-care-packages-for-newborns/

We’re seeing an increase in infant deaths from unsafe sleeping in Tampa Bay. We’re getting some helpful tips to ensure your kids are safe while sleeping.

Dr. Kelly Devers, Hillsborough County Medical Examiner, and Dr. Ashley McPhie, Chief Medical Officer, Tampa Family Health join us to share helpful tips to ensure your child is safe while sleeping.

In 2021, there were 11 child deaths due to infant unsafe sleep – which is an increase from last year, according to the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner,

In the last 8 years, 190 infants have died from unsafe sleep across Tampa Bay.

Dr. Devers tells us these are 100% preventable deaths. She says she’s seeing cases where babies are dying because their cribs are full of stuff, or they get wedged between the couch. Infants lack the muscle control needed to move their necks if something is blocking their airways.

Dr. Ashely McPhie says Black infants are two times more likely to die from sleep-related causes.

They also strongly recommend infants do not sleep with pillow-top mattresses, comforters, fluffy pillows, and stuffed animals. These pose a danger to infants in cribs as well as adult beds.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants 6 months and younger should practice the ABCs of safe sleep. The safest way for infants to sleep is alone on their backs in a crib. This minimizes the risk of the infant suffocating, especially if they have not developed neck muscle control. Babies should be put to sleep on their backs in a crib with a tight-fitting crib sheet and firm mattress.

For more information, head to PreventNeedlessDeaths.com.

Read the entire article and watch the video at https://www.abcactionnews.com/morning-blend/infant-sleeping-related-deaths-up-in-tampa-bay-tips-to-keep-your-kids-safe