GBI News Release: Preventable Infant Deaths in Georgia

Georgia Bureau of Investigation News Release, Contact:  Trebor Randle – Special Agent in Charge – Child Fatality Review Unit 404/270-8714

For Immediate Release

November 19, 2015

Preventable Infant Deaths in Georgia

Decatur, Georgia – Public awareness of sleep-related infant deaths in the state of Georgia is critical in preventing these deaths.  The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) in collaboration with the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) hope to raise awareness about the dangers of co-sleeping.  Prevention and awareness campaigns can effectively communicate the true nature of sleep-related infant deaths and the danger of unsafe sleeping environments.  The majority of infant deaths in Georgia is not primarily related to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which many view as unpreventable, but is attributable to Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID) and other sleep-related deaths which are highly preventable.

Annually, over 100 infant deaths per year are categorized as “sleep-related” in Georgia.  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.

The GBI, DPH, and DFCS are pleased to announce the release of a Public Service Announcement entitled Saving Georgia’s Children – a guide to safe sleeping practices.

You can view the video via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks9ew3lYRe4 or by visiting the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Facebook page.  It is also on the GBI website (http://gbi.georgia.gov/CFR).  Included on the website is the Safe Sleep PSA Announcement from Governor Deal and the First Lady.