Riverside County Board Proclaims Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness, Domestic Violence Awareness and National Caregivers Month
The Board of Supervisors of Riverside County, California, issued three public-awareness proclamations at its regular meeting on Oct. 27 at the County Administrative Center (4080 Lemon Street) in Riverside: October as Safe Sleep and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month and as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and November as National Caregivers Month. RivCo TV, the county television channel, posted video clips of the three presentations the same day.
On infant safe sleep, county public health officials reminded parents to follow the "ABC" rules: babies sleep Alone, on their Back, and in a Crib, on a firm, flat surface with only a fitted sheet — no pillows, blankets, bumpers or stuffed toys — and share a room, not a bed, with their caregivers. Federal public health data attribute about 3,400 U.S. infant deaths each year to sleep-related causes, including SIDS, accidental suffocation and strangulation. October is also national Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month.
The domestic violence proclamation noted that abuse can happen in any household and that survivors need medical, legal and shelter support. The SAFE Family Justice Center serves victims in Riverside, Murrieta and Indio with legal help, protective-order assistance, counseling and referrals; the SAFE Clinic of Riverside University Health System (RUHS) provides medical care for victims, and the District Attorney's Office runs a victim services division. In an emergency, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233, or text "START" to 88788, with multilingual help around the clock.
The caregivers proclamation looks ahead to November. Surveys by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving estimate that about 53 million U.S. adults provide unpaid care to a family member or friend. The Riverside County Office on Aging helpline, (877) 932-4100, connects older adults and family caregivers with respite care, support groups and nutrition programs, and the county's In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program holds caregiver appreciation events each November to thank the county's in-home caregivers.
Video clips of the three presentations are on the county's RivCo TV channel:
Video: Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Month (RivCo TV)
Video: National Caregiver's Month (RivCo TV)
Related: Pasadena Launches Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month With ABC Guidance and Free Training
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：从 Mount Rubidoux 远眺河滨市（Riverside）市区（资料图），Z3lvs 摄，CC0 公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。/ Photo: Downtown Riverside seen from Mount Rubidoux (file photo), by Z3lvs, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
