Thursday 2 December 2010

SIDS: Wisconsin

New research out on the causes of child deaths in Wisconsin. Between 2007 and 2008, 1,556 children died in the state.
More startling: experts say 25% of those deaths could have been prevented.
Now county leaders state-wide are making an effort to spread the word about the risks and most importantly, prevention.
"When you're raising kids there's so many things to think of and it's easy to overlook little things," Eau Claire mom Norah Airth-Kindree said.
Parents say these days there are an endless amount of things to worry about when it comes to their kids' safety.
"You gotta keep them safe and keep them smart," another Eau Claire mom added.
"I think it's scary to read all about when accidents happen and when it turns out that it's stupidity basically that could have been prevented," dad of two Oystein Vollstad said.
A new report from Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin, the Injury Research Center and the state Department of Health Services shows the five leading causes of preventable death were motor vehicle and other crashes, asphyxia and sudden infant death syndrome, homicide, drowning and poisoning.
In 2008, Clark County put together a team that looks at the causes of child deaths throughout the county. It works to educate the public on how to prevent more of those deaths from happening.
"Of the deaths we've reviewed a lot of times it's supervisory neglect that can result in a child death, typically neglect is a big issue," Clark County Detective Kerry Kirn said.
The report shows more than half of children who died were boys, two-thirds of the children were less than one year old, and the victims were primarily white.
Scary statistics for any parent to hear.
"It's one thing to be a laid back parent, which there's a lot to be said for and that's really good, but I think you also need to be really vigilant constantly," mom of two Peggy Vollstad explained.
"Just to take the time to pay attention to the small little things," Airth-Kindree said.
County leaders say they'll continue to work to teach parents and the public ways they can keep more children safe.
"The ultimate goal is to keep kids alive,” Kirn said.

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