Backup Documents 09/27/2022 Item # 4B 4B
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, more than 200 infants die every year in Florida because of sleeping in an
unsafe environment, including 49 infant deaths that have occurred in Collier
County since 2000; these deaths are preventable, and our goal in Florida and
Collier County is zero deaths from this cause; and
WHEREAS, infants can suffocate because of sleeping in an adult bed or on other dangerous
sleep surfaces, such as couches, arm chairs, or pillows, or by sleeping with
parents, siblings, caregivers, or pets; and
WHEREAS, infants sleep safest when sleeping alone, on their back, in a crib, bassinet, or
portable play yard with a firm mattress and a tightly fitted sheet with no other
items, and when they are appropriately dressed for sleep; and
WHEREAS, breastfeeding and smoke-free homes are encouraged, because they are
associated with fewer sleep-related infant deaths; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Health in Collier County, NCH Safe and Healthy
Children's Coalition, Health Care Network of Southwest Florida, Florida
Department of Children and Families, Safe Kids of Southwest Florida,
Lighthouse Pediatrics of Naples, Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida,
Collier County Sheriff's Office, Healthy Start of Southwest Florida, American
SIBS Institute, and Charlie's Kids are working collaboratively through the
Collier County Safe Sleep Committee to raise awareness of the important steps
parents, grandparents, relatives, and all child-care providers can take to keep
infants safe every time they sleep. Since the committee started in 2010, there
has been more than a 66% decrease in unsafe sleep deaths in Collier County;
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier
County, Florida, that October 2022 be designated as
SAFE INFANT SLEEP MONTH IN COLLIER COUNTY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 27th Day of September 2022.
\
BOARD 0- OUNTY.COMMISSIONER
(-----
- - CO E' ��UNTY, F ORI
L
WI' AM L. MCDANIEL, JR., CHAIRMAN