State Health Experts Warn of Co-Sleeping "Dangers"

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Public awareness of sleep-related infant deaths in the state of Georgia is critical in preventing these tragedies.

With that logic in mind, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Department of Public Health and Division of Family and Children Services are hoping to raise awareness about the dangers of co-sleeping.

The three agencies have embarked on a public service campaign entitled Saving Georgia’s Children, a guide to safe sleeping practices.

Prevention and awareness campaigns can effectively communicate the true nature of sleep-related infant deaths and the danger of unsafe sleeping environments, the GBI said.

The majority of infant deaths in Georgia is not primarily related to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which many view as unpreventable, but is attributable to Sudden Unexplained Infant Death and other sleep-related deaths which are highly preventable.

Each year, more than 100 infant deaths per year are categorized as sleep-related in Georgia, the GBI adds.

It is critical that parents and caregivers be empowered with the knowledge and education of simple, yet effective, prevention steps as well as the understanding of the true risk for infant death.

You can view the public service announcement online, on the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Facebook page or its website.

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