Sheriff's Office to Announce Cribs for Kids Program

Sheriff's Office to Announce Cribs for Kids Program

Sheriff Rahr will announce the kick-off of the Cribs for Kids program at a press conference tomorrow, April 24^th.

-----The Sheriff's Office is partnering with the SIDS Foundation of Washington to provide free, portable cribs to parents who have babies sleeping in an environment that could lead to a SIDS death or accidental suffocation.

Also appearing at the press conference will be Inga Paige, Executive Director of the Northwest Infant Survival Alliance, as well as Councilmember Kathy Lambert.

The cribs are free and come from the SIDS Foundation. The Sheriff's Office identifies the need, then delivers and sets up the crib.

While this program has been implemented in other parts of the country, the Sheriff's Office is the first law enforcement agency in the Northwest to take part.

Infants who sleep in an unsafe environment (including adult beds) face at least a 40% greater chance of dying. In one study in Allegany County (PA.), it was determined that 90% of the infant deaths attributed to SIDS died in places other than a properly assembled and maintained crib.

“This is a very logical partnership since police officers, as first responders, will see situations that are dangerous for infants long before social service agencies might”, said Sheriff Sue Rahr. “If we can get a crib to a family who needs one, we might save the life of a baby”.

When deputies come across an infant that is sleeping on a sofa, regular bed, cluttered surface, or with a family member, they will notify Sheriff's Office Community Service Officer Scott Dungan. Scott will contact the family and offer assistance which will include providing the crib, setting it up, and counseling the family about safe sleeping for babies.

Again, these are free cribs provided to families-in-need who have an infant sleeping in a situation that could lead to a death.

A FAQ’s list for infant safe sleep is at www.cribsforkids.org/cribs-questions.htm