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Advocates, Florida DCF Say Cribs Provide Safe Sleep for Infants

November 17th, 2010   No Comments   News & Events

Infants and toddlers in Florida are dying at an alarming rate — of causes that often are completely avoidable. Whether they’re accidentally smothered while sleeping with their parents or from sleeping outside the safe confines of a crib, their numbers are startling. They’ve drawn the attention of the Florida Department of Children and Families, caregivers, advocates and others.

At least 11 times in the past year, babies have died when something went wrong with a makeshift sleeping arrangement, according to a story in the Palm Beach Post. DCF officials believe they’ve improved the odds by providing cribs through a partnership with the West Palm Beach-based Clinics Can Help

The only catch: To get the crib, the parent must agree to attend an hourlong class on parenting, the Post reported. DCF regional director Perry Borman said the Cribs R for Infant Baby Safety project (CRIBS) can save lives. “When it happens you think, ‘This could’ve been prevented,’?” DCF spokeswoman Elisa Cramer told the Post.  A recent Florida Child Abuse Death Review report noted how unsafe sleeping arrangements are the leading cause of death in Florida children younger than 12 months in 2008 and the second-leading cause of all verified child abuse and neglect deaths. Read the entire story here.

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