Operation Safe Sleep

Download "Safe Sleep" brochure in English, Spanish, or Arabic

One of Wayne County's top priorities is the health and safety of infants and children. In the first six months of 2007, Wayne County has realized an increase in infant deaths as a result of babies sleeping in the same bed as parents and other caregivers. Infant death rates measure the number of infants that die before their first birthday per one thousand live births, and this number is one of the indicators of health in a community. In the first six months of 2006, there were 20 infant deaths related to unsafe sleep reported in Detroit and Out-Wayne County. However, from January through June 2007, that number has more than doubled for Out-Wayne County from four in 2006 to nine in 2007. Deaths resulting from unsafe sleep environments account for a portion of infant deaths.

The overall infant mortality rate in Detroit and Out-Wayne County in 2005 was 11 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. In Wayne County excluding Detroit, the infant mortality rate was 6.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. The statewide infant mortality rate for that same time period was 7.9. But that is only part of the story.  When Wayne County’s numbers are broken down by race, the picture is alarming, with large differences among black, white infant death rates. In Out-Wayne County, the infant mortality rate in black families is 17.6, and is 5.1 in white families.  That means that more than 3 black babies die for every one white baby that dies before its first birthday. While unsafe sleep practices contribute to a portion of infant deaths, these deaths are preventable by putting the baby in a safe sleeping environment.

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano has directed the Wayne County Department of Public Health to launch Operation Safe Sleep in order to raise awareness and eliminate this disturbing trend.  Operation Safe Sleep is a public health initiative with a singular focus:  to save babies from tragic, premature death due to unsafe sleeping positions and environments. 

The Wayne County Department of Public Health will be working closely with local hospitals, community-based organizations and other stakeholders to increase awareness of the danger associated with sleeping in the same bed with infants. In addition, we will provide education to caregivers on how they can provide a safe sleep environment.

Awareness works when there are affordable and accessible alternatives to tradition.  To that end, Wayne County is giving away several hundred Pack N Play portable cribs over the next few months.  Families that can’t provide safe sleeping environments for their babies will now have the tools to save a life through some simple steps.  We are providing these cribs at no cost to the caregiver, and we will also provide training so that it is clear what “safe sleep” really is.

As part of the educational component of Operation Safe Sleep,, we are providing parents, babysitters, grandparents—anyone who cares for a baby—with the “Safe Sleep for your Baby” brochure in English, Spanish and Arabic.  In addition, the brochures can be downloaded from the County’s website at www.waynecounty.com. We are planning to work closely with area health systems to create education campaigns for new parents.  We are also asking neonatal / maternity unit staff to help identify new parents who would benefit from a free Pack N Play crib and the training that comes with it.

How should a baby be sleeping?

For more information on Operation Safe Sleep, contact the Wayne County Department of Public Health at 313-732-7951

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