News and Announcements

Effort to Stop Infant Deaths in Westchester

26 infant deaths in Westchester have been caused by unsafe sleeping environments over the past six years, according to the Westchester County Child Fatality Review Team. The review team was put together six years ago. Their job is to review all suspicious child deaths that occur in our county.

Each of these situations make up the top four reasons that the Review Team cited for those 26 infant deaths:

•    The use of inappropriate bedding
•    The use of pillows or stuffed animals in the sleeping area
•    Sleeping in an adult bed with one or more other individuals
•    The use of drugs or alcohol by adults before bed time

In response to their findings, the County Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT) has developed a safe sleeping campaign.  The key element to the campaign is a six-minute video, in English and Spanish, which educated parents about safe sleeping practices for their baby.

Northern Westchester Hospital will show the video to new parents after the birth of their baby.

Reported by the Bronxville Patch

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