Kenosha health officials release tips for safe sleep after four infant deaths in two weeks

KENOSHA -- Health officials in Kenosha County are providing tips for safe sleep for babies -- after four infants died within a two-week period. None of these cases has been officially linked to co-sleeping. The cause of death in each of these cases is under investigation.

The Kenosha County Division of Health is urging the community to make sure your baby or the baby in your care always has a safe place to sleep at night and during nap time, even as you travel or visit others.

Babies can suffocate while sleeping in adult beds, sharing a bed with an adult or child, sleeping on furniture, and sleeping with pillows, cushions, and blankets.

Follow these basic infant safe sleep recommendations to protect babies from suffocation or accidents during nightly sleep and naps:

The Kenosha County Division of Health offers portable cribs at discounted price as part of a "Safe Sleep Program."

"Safe Sleep" education is available for parents or agencies working with young families through in-home instruction from a public health nurse or health educator.

Below are details regarding each of the four infant deaths that have occurred in Kenosha County in February:

Age: Five-month-old infant
Location: Home on 22nd Avenue
Date: February 3rd, 8:15 a.m.
Officials said it appeared as though the child died during the night. Life-saving measures were not attempted.

Age: Seven-month-old boy
Location: Home near 45th Street and 36th Avenue in Kenosha
Date: February 2nd, 8:00 a.m.
Officials said the cause of death was pending toxicology testing, but no obvious signs of injury were noted to the child. Officials said the child was ill at the time of his passing.

Age: Five-month-old girl
Location: Home on 61st Street
Date: February 11th, 4:30 a.m.
Officials were called out to the home for a child not breathing. The child was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Age: Five-month-old girl
Location: Home near 28th and Washington
Date: February 17th, 6:15 a.m.
Officials said the infant could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Below you'll see some statistics obtained by FOX6 News regarding infant deaths in Kenosha County from 2012 to present:

2012 – 6 deaths

2013 – 2 deaths

2014 – 7 deaths

2015 – 7 deaths

2016 – 4 deaths so far