October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month and the McKean County Cribs for Kids Program is reminding parents and caregivers of the importance of placing babies in a safe sleep environment.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death in infants age one month to one year, and in the United States over 3,500 babies will die unexpectedly each year. Research indicates that many and perhaps most of these deaths are related to an unsafe sleeping environment. Parents and caregivers are reminded to follow the ABCs of Safe Sleep to reduce infant deaths from unsafe sleep-related causes:

Alone – always place baby in his or her own sleep space (room sharing without bed sharing); Back – always place baby to sleep on his or her back (naptime and nighttime), not on side or stomach; and Crib – always place baby to sleep in a crib with a firm surface, free of bumper pads, pillows, toys, and blankets.

CARE for Children operates the local McKean County Cribs for Kids Program with child safety educators providing infant safe sleep education. If families are in need of a safe sleep environment for baby, they are then given a Safe Sleep Survival Kit, which include a Cribs for Kids® Cribette®, SleepSack, sheet, pacifier, and educational materials.

Families in need of a crib can call CARE at 814-362-4621. Health care providers, at-home visitors, Children and Youth Services, and early childhood programs are also encouraged to make referrals to the program. More information on safe sleep for infants and the Cribs for Kids Program can be found at CARE’s website https://careforchildren.info/cribs-for-kids/.