An effort to increase awareness of safe sleeping practices and save children's lives.
Safe sleeping practices--ensuring that babies sleep by themselves, on their backs, and in a safe crib or bassinet, are simple common sense approaches that help save lives, by preventing, otherwise, avoidable infant fatalities.
Unfortunately, many Frederick County parents are unaware of safe sleeping practices, or unable to afford furniture that provides for a safe sleeping environment. As a result, nearly half of the county's 23 child fatalities between July 2008 and October 2011 were preventable sleep related deaths. "The biggest thing that they're saying is that the airway needs to stay open. They encourage using a pacifier. Somehow it helps to prevent SIDS," said Sharon Dallessandro, Child Protective Services, Frederick County Department of Social Services.
In an effort to increase awareness of safe sleeping practices and save children's lives, the Frederick County Department of Social Services and the Friends of the Child Advocacy Center are coming together to sponsor the first annual Crib Crawl, a 5K walk/run, on Saturday, April 7, 2012, at Baker Park. The Crib Crawl's simple message, 'Back to Sleep', will remind parents that how a child sleeps may be a matter of life or death.
Sponsors are urgently needed for this event. Sponsorships are available at the $500, $250, and $100 levels. "For less than $100, a portable crib may be purchased for a family who otherwise is unable to provide a safe sleeping environment for their child."
In-kind donations, such as printing of materials, t-shirts for runners/walkers, water, etc. are also welcomed.
Please call 301-600-2688 for more information regarding sponsorship opportunities. You can register online at www.cribcrawl.com .
