Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released a critical warning regarding baby and toddler safety, emphasizing the pressing need for increased awareness, particularly within the Black community. This advisory follows the recent publication of their report that sheds light on deaths and injuries involving children under the age of 5.
The report unveils alarming statistics concerning Black children, revealing that 29% of nursery-related deaths involved Black babies, a stark contrast to the 16% attributed to the overall population. The majority of these tragic deaths occurred due to cluttered sleeping areas, underscoring the necessity for clear guidelines to ensure safe sleeping environments.
To address this issue, the CPSC has outlined a series of essential dos and don’ts to safeguard infants during sleep:
Do:
- Use sleep products intended for safe rest, such as cribs, bassinets, play yards, and bedside sleepers that meet federal requirements.
- Adhere to the principle of “Bare is Best” – maintain the sleeping area with only a fitted sheet in a crib, bassinet, or play yard.
- Place the baby on their back for sleeping.
- Transfer the baby to their designated sleep space if they fall asleep elsewhere.
- Regularly check the CPSC website for recalls (https://www.saferproducts.gov/) and sign up for recall notifications on CPSC.gov.
Don’t:
- Add pillows or blankets to your baby’s sleep space, keeping it free from potential hazards.
- Allow your baby to sleep in an inclined product with an angle greater than 10°, such as a rocker, bouncer, swing, or glider, to prevent potential suffocation or injury.
The CPSC emphasizes the critical importance of following these guidelines, regardless of ethnicity or background, to protect the little lives of our infants and toddlers.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
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