Keeping Your Baby Safe at Bedtime

As a parent, you are in charge of your baby’s health and safety. Jefferson County Public Health reminds all parents and caregivers that sleep time for baby should be no exception. As tempting as it might be to share a bed and snuggle with your baby, the truth is, it is not safe and could be life threatening. The risk of suffocation is real. Never share a bed or sleeping space with an infant. Protect your baby by making sure that anyone else who might be putting the baby down for sleep, including grandparents and other family members, understands the importance of a safe sleep environment and follows these few steps.

Create a safe sleep environment for infants. This will reduce risk of suffocation, as well as sudden unexplained infant death syndrome (SUIDS).
remove all items from the crib, including crib bumpers, blankets and toys.
Be sure to place infants on their backs to sleep and keep them warm by using a simple sleep sack or one-piece sleep wear.

Some parents and caregivers feel more comfortable having the infant sleep in the same room, and that’s ok! Place your baby in a portable sleeping crib or bassinette next to your bed.

To learn more about keeping your baby safe at bedtime, please watch the Jefferson County Public Health safe sleep video or download our brochure.

National Home Safety Month

Every year, the National Safety Council pegs June as National Home Safety Month. This year’s theme, “Safety Starts with Me,” is a reminder to educate yourself and your family about preventable injuries around your home. Jefferson County Public Health’s Injury Prevention program has information on safe sleep and car seats for your child, preventing elderly falls, and teen driving.

For more information about preventing injuries in your home and community, please contact Myria Normann at 303-239-7067.

Provide a Safe Sleep Environment for Infants

Watch this Jefferson County Insights video featuring a Jefferson County mother and her infant during a visit with one of our public health nurses as well as an interview with Dr. Ann Halbower with Children’s Hospital.

Creating a safe sleep environment for infants is easy to do and can reduce risk of suffocation, as well as sudden unexplained infant death syndrome (SUIDS). Start by removing all items from the crib, including crib bumpers, blankets and toys. Be sure to place infants on their backs to sleep and keep them warm by using a simple sleep sack or one-piece sleep wear. Some parents and caregivers feel more comfortable having the infant sleep in the same room, this is fine, but only if there is a portable sleeping crib or bassinette. The risk of suffocation is real! Never share a bed or sleeping space with an infant. Parents and caregivers can also protect infants by making sure that anyone else who might be putting the baby down for sleep, including grandparents and other family members, understands the importance of a safe sleep environment and follows these guidelines. Visit the JCPH injury prevention page to learn more about safe sleep and injury prevention across the lifespan.

Injury Prevention . . . Across the Lifespan

Injuries and violence affect everyone, regardless of age, race, economic status or geographic location. In fact, injuries are the number-one killer for Americans, Coloradoans and those living in Jefferson County between the ages of 1-44.

JCPH is partnering with hospitals, childcare providers, high schools and senior groups to increase awareness and education and ultimately decrease injuries among infants, teenagers and older adults in the County.

• Safe Sleep for Baby

Parents, grandparents, childcare providers and others who may be responsible for putting an infant down to rest or sleep are reminded of the importance of providing a safe sleep environment. Studies show that infants who are placed on their backs when going to sleep or napping have a 50% reduced risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It is also important to be aware of a baby’s sleep area, clothing and location of sleep. 

• Safe Driving for Adolescents

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group. In Jefferson County alone, there were 123 teen injury cases involving motor vehicles last year.  Following the Colorado Graduated Driver Licensing-laws can help teens prevent motor vehicle crashes.  Since these laws have been established in 1999, the number of teens killed in motor vehicle crashes in the state of Colorado has decreased more than 50%. 

• Fall Prevention for Older adults  

Every year In Colorado, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports, an average of 400 Coloradans ages 65 and older die from a fall-related injury, and more than 10,000 are hospitalized for nonfatal injuries.  Improving balance, evaluating medications that may cause dizziness and getting a yearly eye exam are ways to help prevent injuries from falls.  Eliminating hazards at home that may cause falls, such as throw rugs or extension cords, are another way to stay safe. 

The JCPH Injury Prevention Program encourages everyone to learn more about preventing injuries across the lifespan. For more information about preventing injuries, please visit the JCPH Injury Prevention web page or contact Susan Moyer at 303-239-7045.

Injury Facts Hurt . . . Colorado had the 17th Highest Rate of Injury Deaths in U.S.

“The Facts Hurt: A State-by-State Injury Prevention Policy Report” recently released by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), highlights injuries as a major public health problem in the United States and concludes that millions of injuries could be prevented each year if more states adopted additional research-based injury prevention policies, and if programs were fully implemented and enforced. According to the report, injuries – including those caused by accidents and violence -- are the third-leading cause of death nationally – and they are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 1 and 44. One person dies from an injury every three minutes. Every year, injuries lead to $406 billion in lifetime costs for medical care and lost productivity.

Injury Prevention is a Colorado Winnable Battle. JCPH’s Injury Prevention Program works with partners at the state and local levels on a variety of injury prevention initiatives, including safe driving, safe sleep and fall prevention. Read Report  >>  view web site  >>  view Colorado page

Handouts to use:   Fall Prevention     >>   Safe Sleep    >>    Teen Driving     >>   JCPH Student PSA video