January 18, 2012 Acadiana Public Health Region Organizes Crib Bumper Pad Donation Drive to Reduce SIDS RiskLocal High School Students Will Repurpose Items for Use in Area Nursing Homes

LAFAYETTE, Jan 18, 2012 - The Region 4 (Acadiana area) Office of Public Health has organized a donation drive that will combat one public health issue while providing a solution for another.

The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that bumper pads, which are soft, padded materials that line cribs, should not be used in areas where infants sleep because they pose a high risk for SIDS, suffocation or strangulation.

From Jan. 16 through 27, residents can drop off crib bumper pads at any of the region’s seven parish health units. Local high school students then will refashion the bumper pads to make them into bedrail guards, lap blankets, adult bibs and other items, and will donate these items to local nursing homes.

“The American Academy of Pediatrics released new guidelines in October for how parents can reduce their babies’ risk of SIDS and suffocation, which included removing bumper pads,” said Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional medical director. “We wanted to help raise awareness of these new guidelines locally, as suffocation was the leading cause of accidental death for Louisiana infants in 2009, which is the last year for which data is available. We also realized an opportunity to use the crib bumper pads for a good cause – although they pose a risk for infants, they can help elderly residents in nursing homes avoid bumps and bruising, and can make them more comfortable when resting.”

The list of Acadiana area parish health units is included below. Parents who wish to donate infant bumper pads can drop them off at any health unit during regular business hours.

The Acadiana office of The Family Tree, 4540 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, B220, Lafayette, will also act as a bumper pad collection site. The contact number for The Family Tree is (337) 295-7021.

The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about LDH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow DHH’s blog at www.myhealthla.org, Twitter and search for the Louisiana Department of Health on Facebook.