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Sarasota News Leader December 6, 2013 Page 64 SAFE SLEEP CAMPAIGN TO HELP NEW PARENTS IN THE COMMUNITY The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is teaming up with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to promote Safe Sleep, a campaign to educate new parents about proper sleeping environments for their newborns and to ask the public to support the initiative by donating brand new portable cribs for parents who cannot afford them. alone, on their backs and in a crib or bassinet that is clear of everything else," the release notes. In addition to promoting a safe sleeping environment and distributing materials countywide in both English and Spanish, the campaign is encouraging the public to donate pack 'n' plays or bassinets as well as new portable cribs. Drop-off points are the Sarasota So far this year, DCF has investigated nearly County Sheriff's Office's Sarasota (2071 150 infant deaths in Florida attributed to Ringling Blvd.) and Venice (4531 State Road unsafe sleeping environments, including two 776) locations. in Sarasota County, a Sheriff's Office news The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota release says. Although many parents want County, the Florida Department of Health and to use soft bedding, fluffy pillows and plush the Child Protection Center are also partnerstuffed animals, these elements can prove ing on this long-term effort. dangerous to babies who are not old enough to A public service announcement and an edumove their heads to ensure clear airways, the cational video may be found on the Sarasota release points out. "The American Academy County Sheriff's Office YouTube channel, of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep www.youtube.com/user/SarasotaSheriff. (From left): Department of Children and Families Regional Managing Director Mike Carroll, Healthy Start Executive Director Jennifer Highland and Sheriff Tom Knight gather to launch the Safe Sleep campaign. Contributed photo