New police app across Merseyside aimed at saving babies lives
Officers can tell health experts if they see babies not sleeping safely
Last updated 12th Mar 2024
It's a new safe sleeping scheme being rolled out across Merseyside can save dozens of babies lives a year.
An app is being used by police officers, who are also getting special training on the signs to look out for.
The idea is that when officers are called out to family homes, they'll be able to spot if a child isn't sleeping safely, and can use a new app to pass that information on to health visitors.
They can then check in with the family - and see whether they need any extra support as well as offer advice.
The idea was launched as a pilot in July 2023 - since then, 30 referrals have been made to reduce the risk of children dying.
Constable Craig Walsh, who developed the app, said:
"This initiative is a great example of the preventative work that we carry out every day. Sefton have recently followed Liverpool in coming on board and we look forward to rolling it out further across Merseyside to support more families and prevent them experiencing the heartache of losing a child.
"By identifying small but important changes and providing the right advice we can hopefully reduce the risk of harm for those families we come into contact with."
This app launch comes as new research shows mothers are putting their babies at increased risk of cot death by allowing them to sleep in bouncers or swings.
A survey by charity The Lullaby Trust found around 70% of mums allow their infant to sleep in rocking chairs.
Lisa Marshall, Mersey Care's Operational Manager for Children and Young People, said:
"We know the best position for a baby to be asleep in is flat on their back and that's partly to do with their airway so if they're in a bouncer, they've got a floppy airway so they can get close off their own airway in a bouncer chair.
"So it's really important that should be limited to about 20 minutes at a time and they should always be supervised as well when left in bouncers or any kind of chairs or equipment.
"One of the other things that we see are a lot of sleepy head pillows that look really nice and comfy, but if they're not breathable material, babies can smother in them quite easily so again we do say make sure they're always supervised if you'[re using anything other than a flat mattress."