Announcements

ABCs could mean life or death
Washoe County declares October as Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month.

Reno, Nev. Oct. 1, 2020. The Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA), Washoe County Health District, and the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office are collaborating during Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month throughout October to emphasize the importance of infant safe sleep practices.

Unsafe sleep practices are one of the leading causes of death among otherwise healthy infants under the age of one in Washoe County. There have been 23 infant deaths in Washoe County from Fiscal Years 2016 to 2020, all due to unsafe sleep situations.

“Babies can suffocate as a result of sleeping in an adult bed or on other dangerous sleep surfaces, such as couches, arm chairs or pillows,” said Children’s Services Division Director Ryan Gustafson. “When putting an infant to sleep, we are asking those who care for a child to make sure the child is sleeping Alone, always on their Back and in a Crib.”

The infant safe sleep awareness community outreach campaign will reach citizens in various ways throughout the year to remind everyone about the importance of practicing the ABCs of infant safe sleep.

• Billboard campaign, courtesy of Lamar Advertising.
• Regional Transportation Commission bus wraps.
• TV and social media public service announcements.

Join HSA in raising awareness about the importance of infant safe sleep by using #InfantSafeSleep. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.