Preventable Child Deaths
Across Tampa Bay, 41 children under age 6 died last year from three causes that are 100 percent preventable:
- drowning
- abusive head trauma (also known as “Shaken Baby Syndrome”)
- unsafe sleep practices (co-sleeping)
One preventable death is one too many. Take just five minutes to visit PreventNeedlessDeaths.com to learn how you can keep our children safe and share this lifesaving information with your family and friends.
These tragedies can happen to anyone and it’s going to take all of us to save our Tampa Bay children. Our children are this community’s most precious gift and every one of us has a responsibility to keep them safe.
Safe Sleep:
We know more now about the safest sleep habits for infants than we used to. Statistics like the headline above don’t lie. Here’s what else you should know and pass along:
-
We changed our habits about
car seats and lead paint.
CHANGING CO-SLEEPING HABITS
WILL SAVE LIVES, TOO.spread the word...
- Infants are 40 times more likely to die in adult beds than in their own cribs.
- Nearly 74% of deaths in babies younger than 4 months happened in a bed-sharing situation.
- The risks go up when adults smoke, take medications, use drugs or alcohol, or are obese.
- Pillow-top mattresses, comforters, fluffy pillows and stuffed animals are dangerous in adult beds AND in cribs.
Best Practices:
- Safest way for an infant to sleep is on its back alone in its own crib
- Room-sharing offers almost all of the benefits of bed-sharing, without the risks – bring your baby’s crib into your room for the first 6 months of life.
- Put your baby to sleep on his or her back in a crib with a tight-fitting crib sheet and firm mattress.
- Keep the crib free of blankets, pillows, bumper pads and stuffed animals.
- Use a sleep sack to keep the baby warm – not a loose blanket.
Water Safety:
-
Formal swimming lessons
for kids under 4 yrs.CUT THE RISK OF
DROWNING BY 88%!
2/3 of small kids who
drown in a pool
WERE LAST SEENIN THE HOUSE.
- Children can drown in as little as 1 inch of water.
- Drowning kills more kids ages 1 to 4 than any other cause of death.
- Kids can drown without making a sound.
- Drowning can begin in as little as 20 seconds.
- Drowning can occur in places you don’t normally expect...also dangerous: in-ground and blow-up pools, ponds, lakes, beaches, retention ponds, buckets, pet water dishes, bathtubs and toilets.
Best Practices:
- Constant adult supervision! No distractions for those watching children near water + designated “water watchers”.
- Understand the dangers that can lead to a child drowning; install barriers inside and outside the home.
- Learn CPR – it’s a life saver.
Abusive Head Trauma:
-
WHEN A BABY CRIES:
Swaddle
Cuddle
Gently Rock
Gently Massage
Sing or Hum
Play Soft Music
Offer Pacifier
Take a Walk with Stroller
Put in Safety Approved Swing
Go For Ride Using Car Seat
- Crying is the number one trigger for abusive or inflicted head trauma at the hands of a parent or caregiver.
- A baby’s brain is fragile, just like an egg inside a shell.
- Shaking, squeezing or throwing a baby down on a bed or hard surface can cause severe, even fatal, injuries.
- Parents themselves most often cause the injury or death.
- The potty training period is another critical flash point for stress and frustration among caregivers.
Best Practices:
- Never shake a baby
- Understand that crying is normal – it’s how babies communicate their needs.
- Have a list of what to check for as to why the baby is crying: hunger, dirty diaper, too hot or cold, teething, over-tired, etc.
- It’s okay to take a time out for yourself – put your baby in a crib and take a few minutes to breathe and calm down.
- Know who is watching your child – are they prepared to take on this responsibility? Are they safe?
- Have a support system in place for anyone watching your child: family, friends or neighbors; those that could relieve a stressed-out caregiver.