ACS, The New York Foundling Remind Parents of Safe Sleep Practices Ahead of Wintery Weekend

Foundling Chief Program Officer Carmen Jirau-Rivera and ACS Commissioner David Hansell hold a wearable blanket that is safe for sleeping babies. These wearable blankets will be available to families for free at various ACS locations throughout the city. (Photo courtesy Administration of Children’s Services.)

 

Ahead of a bitter cold, snowy weekend, the New York City Administration for Children’s Services teamed up with The New York Foundling to inform parents about safe sleep practices for the city’s youngest residents.

 

ACS Commissioner David Hansell and Foundling Chief Program Officer Carmen Jirau-Rivera were joined by officials from the state Office of Children and Family Services and NYC Department of Health at The Foundling’s Crisis Nursery on January 18 to provide safe sleep tips and information on resources available around the city. ACS’ Safe Sleep Initiative educates caregivers on the dangers of unsafe sleep environments, responsible for sleep-related injury and deaths.

 

Every year, about 50 babies in New York City die from a sleep-related injury; almost one baby every week, ACS noted in a press release. To combat these tragic events, ACS is offering free wearable blankets for babies.

 

 

“Sleep-related deaths in infants are easily preventable by adhering to the safe sleep methods, as presented today by the NYC Administration for Children’s Services,” said Bill Baccaglini, President and CEO of The New York Foundling, said in a statement. “With a frigid weekend upon us, I urge parents and caregivers to pick up a wearable blanket that allows babies to sleep safely and warmly. And, of course, we welcome families in need of extra and support and services to visit and learn our Crisis Nursery, a 24/7 haven for parents and children.”

 

The rule of thumb for safe sleeping? Remember “ABC.” Infants should sleep Alone, on their Backs, in a safety-approved Crib. For more information on infant safe sleep best practices or resources in the community, visit: www.nyc.gov/safesleep or call 311 and ask for Safe Sleep.

 

 

 

 

If you are in need of a free wearable blanket for your baby, visit one of the following ACS locations:

 

Manhattan

• 492 1^st Avenue (this location is open after 4pm on weeknights and all day/night on weekends)

• 150 William Street, 4th Fl.
• 55 W. 125th Street, 12th Fl.

Bronx

• 2501 Grand Concourse, 4th Fl.
• 1200 Waters Place
• 974 Morris Park Avenue

Brooklyn

• 1274 Bedford Ave, 1st Fl.
• 185 Marcy Avenue, 2nd Fl.
• 404 Pine Street, 4th Fl.
• 2554 Linden Boulevard, 1st Fl.
• 345 Adams Street, 9th Fl.
• 19 Grant Square

Queens

• 165-15 Archer Avenue, 1st Fl.
• 90-25 161st Street, 3rd Fl.
• 92-31 Union Hall Street, 3rd Fl.

Staten Island

• 350 Saint Marks Place, 5th Fl.