Healthy Start Coalition of Miami-Dade

Picture the quiet scene of an infant safely sleeping in their crib or a giggling baby snuggly buckled into their car seat ready for a car ride. Properly fitted car seats and portable cribs are simple but highly effective safety items that can prevent so many avoidable infant deaths in Miami-Dade County. In 2022 alone, 1,040 Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID) were due to accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. (1) Data also shows that “Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading killers of children, contributing to these sad statistics is the fact that nearly a third of children ride in the wrong restraints for their age and size and four out of five child safety seats are used incorrectly.” (2)  

Unfortunately, many families lack the financial resources necessary to provide for their babies’ safety. Every baby deserves to have a safe, comfortable place to sleep and a safe method of transportation in vehicles. 

While the Healthy Start Coalition of Miami-Dade (HSCMD) recognizes the need families face and continues our commitment to ensure infant safety, we need your help to reach every baby. That is why we are extremely excited to announce that HSCMD is once again participating in Give Miami Day! This 6-day fundraiser of virtual generosity hosted by The Miami Foundation only happens once a year. This year, our fundraising supports a specific initiative which provides free car seats, portable cribs and safety education to families participating in our Home Visitation Programs.

Last fiscal year, your donations contributed to 150 babies being placed in properly fitting car seats, 277 babies sleeping safely in their new portable cribs, and helping parents receive over 213 hours of safety education on the use of those items. 

Do you want to change lives with us? There are two simple ways you can participate: 

1. Donate to HSCMD during Give Miami Day, anytime between Saturday, November 15th - Thursday, November 20th! 
2. Tell others! Follow us on social to learn more about your opportunities to spread the word. 

Your support is crucial in resolving this tragic, yet easily avoidable, problem. Please consider donating to help save the lives of babies! Every donation makes a difference! THANK YOU for helping us provide much needed safety for babies in our communities! 

REFERENCES:

1. “SUID by Cause of Death, 2022.” Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 17 Sept. 2024, www.cdc.gov/sudden-infant-death/data-research/data/suids-deaths-by-cause.html.
2. "Car Seat Safety." Put Safety First Before You Hit the Road, 25 June 2021, www.nicklauschildrens.org/patient-resources/health-and-safety-information/car-seat-safety.