Westmoreland coroner turns tragedies into prevention program
Jul. 31—After two infants in Westmoreland County died this year following unsafe sleep practices at home, Coroner Tim Carson started searching for a way to prevent more parents from suffering that loss.
He landed on Cribs for Kids, a Pittsburgh nonprofit that connects families with free cribs and education classes.
"Two mortalities might not seem like a lot, but to those parents and people that care about those babies, it's devastating," Carson said.
Classes will be held monthly starting in September, and, thanks to a $1,000 donation from Black Diamond Rental in Uniontown, 14 cribs will be ready and waiting for sleepy babies and families in need. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep on their backs and alone on a flat surface. Loose items such as pillows or blankets should be kept out of the sleeping area.
Safe sleep practices can prevent sudden unexpected infant death.
About 3,500 infants die from sleep-related issues in the United States annually, according to the association. In addition to the two in Westmoreland, Carson said three other babies have died from undetermined causes — all five in the past seven months.
In 2021 and 2020, three infants died in Westmoreland because of unsafe sleeping conditions, according to coroner's annual reports.
"As a parent, my thoughts are with those who face the devastating loss of an infant child," he said. "It is our job ... to proactively share information that may help reduce the chance of any preventable accident to occur in the future."
Cribs for Kids chief marketing officer Andrea Wilson said the group has distributed 900,000 cribs nationwide. That has helped parents who couldn't provide a safe sleep environment for their babies and others who only had a bassinet.
"During the pandemic, we saw an uptick in the number of families who needed these services, so it's essential," she said. "We do know that these families do use these cribs, even taking them to their grandparent's house."
Carson said members of his office will get the word out at community events and on social media. Preregistration is required for the classes, which will be held from 11 a.m. to noon the first Wednesday of every month and from 6 to 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday at the coroner's Hempfield office.
Anyone who needs a crib can contact the office at 724-830-3636.
Donations are being accepted for purchase of the cribs through Cribs for Kids. More information is available on the coroner's website.
Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta by email at rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .
