Title
To Declare May 2016 as Infant Safe Sleep Month in the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, in Franklin County an average of 22 babies die suddenly each year due to unsafe sleep practices - with many of these deaths being preventable; and
WHEREAS, sleep-related infant deaths are the leading cause of death for babies who are one month to one year of age; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Columbus Infant Mortality Task Force outlined eight key recommendations to reduce the infant mortality rate in Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force charged Columbus Public Health (CPH) with reducing sleep-related infant deaths through implementing a comprehensive public awareness campaign to improve safe sleep practices; and
WHEREAS, the latest sleep-related infant death report shows 67 sleep-related deaths in Franklin County between 2012 and 2014 - an average of a baby every other week; and
WHEREAS, the latest report shows that 89 percent of these babies who died while sleeping: were either not alone, not on their backs, or not in a crib; and
WHEREAS, The Board of Columbus Public Health implemented a safe sleep campaign designating May 2016 as Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, it is important to motivate our community to continue to remember the ABCs of safe sleep which are:
• Alone: 2 out of 3 babies who died while sleeping were sharing an adult bed, couch or chair- Share the room, not the bed.
• Back: Babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to choke than those who sleep on their stomachs; and
• Crib: Empty cribs are safest, using a firm mattress and fitted sheet. No bumper pads, pillows, blankets or stuffed animals, or else babies may suffocate or strangle themselves; and
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health in May of 2016 has unveiled an all staff infant safe sleep training campaign, comprised of new promotional materials which build upon this foundation, intensifying the call to action, following the ABCs of Safe Sleep, raising awareness regarding the importance of creating a safe sleep environment; encouraging the staff of Columbus Public Health and other stakeholders to work together to increase awareness - ultimately reducing the number of preventable infant sleep-related deaths in our community; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare May 2016 as Infant Safe Sleep Month in the City of Columbus.