Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, along with the Lucas County Coroner’s Office, is emphasizing the ongoing importance of safe infant sleep practices.
Lucas County had seen a decline in sleep-related infant deaths, and, while this trend has been encouraging, new reports indicate a troubling resurgence in unsafe sleep-related fatalities.
“This is a critical moment to reaffirm our commitment to promoting safe sleep practices for all infants in Lucas County,” said Lucas County Coroner Tom Blomquist. “The progress we’ve seen proves that community awareness and education can save lives, but we must continue to be vigilant – especially as the summer heat increases risks like overheating during sleep.”
The health department urges caregivers to follow the ABCs of Safe Sleep for infants:
Parents and caregivers should also remember it is critical to avoid bedsharing, soft bedding and overheating. During the summer, it’s especially important to dress babies in light clothing or sleepwear for sleep and to maintain a cool sleeping environment.
The collaboration among the health department, the coroner’s office, Child Fatality Review Board and other community partners reflects a unified, proactive approach to protect the community’s most vulnerable population – its infants.
“Even one preventable death is too many,” said Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi. “We know what works and we continue to push for education, support and safe environments for every baby born in Lucas County.”
For more information and resources on safe infant sleep, visit the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department’s Safe Sleep webpage at lucascountyhealth.com/community-outreach/children-pregnancy/safe-sleep-education/.
