TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Every year, more than 3,400 babies under the age of one suffer sleep-related deaths in the United States.
In Hillsborough County, the numbers are alarming. 8 On Your Side has learned in January alone, there were five infants who died by suffocation while sleeping in Hillsborough County. Experts said these deaths are preventable.
Vilma Kubisiak knows how important safe sleeping is for her baby, Vivian.
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“In her first year, she has been nothing but in a sleep sack at night, keeping the bed free of blankets and stuffed animals and just a good routine,” said Kubisiak.
Hillsborough County safety advocates have seen an alarming trend relating to unsafe sleep.
“Our numbers here are high and have been for quite a while,” said Lisa Colen, Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County, which mission is to lower infant mortality rates in the county. “We know for example—and five deaths by suffocation just in January that we’re still investigating.”