LACOMBE, LA – St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Charles Preston unveiled a new public service announcement Thursday designed to alert parents to the dangers of sharing their beds with infants.
The 30-second announcement was originally produced by the Bossier Parish Coroner's Office last year.
With a copyright release, it was reworked to be broadcast in the New Orleans media market. With video of a sleeping woman in a bed, shots of children's toys, and haunting lullaby music, the spot begins with no speaking. As the woman is seen rolling over onto her side an infant is revealed beneath her and a voiceover reminds parents and caregivers of this easily preventable danger.
"In the last 15 months in St. Tammany Parish alone, we've seen five co-sleeping deaths, where parents suffocated or crushed their children while sharing a bed," Preston said. "These are tragedies that can be easily prevented. Not only as a physician but as a father I want to spread this advice: Infants should never share a bed with an adult."
"We've already sent the spot to the New Orleans market's four news stations and are asking them to run it as a free public service announcement," Preston said.
In addition to being a Board Certified Emergency Physician, Preston is a former instructor in Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
