The tragic death of a 21-month-old child left overnight in a vehicle in summer heat and the almost-simultaneous passing of a 2-month-old who died in a co-sleeping incident are both examples of preventable deaths that we should all work against, St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape said today.
Four days ago, a 21-month-old girl died after her father apparently left her unattended in a vehicle for nine hours. Click here for that story Also last weekend, a 2-month-old boy died while sleeping with his mother and a sibling.
“These were preventable deaths,” Tape said. “The high risk of death from being left unattended in a vehicle is well known, especially in the south Louisiana summer heat. It is less well known that co-sleeping is a common contributor to infant deaths. Babies should sleep following the ‘ABC’ rule – alone, on their backs, and in a crib. Co-sleeping is dangerous and often deadly for the most vulnerable among us.
"While it should be obvious that no one -- not children, adults, or pets – should be left in cars, too many still embrace the notion of a ‘family bed,’ or co-sleeping with their babies."
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