CHICAGO – Unsafe sleep is a leading cause of death for children one year old and younger; and while October’s Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month is coming to an end, Illinois DCFS continues to work year-round to remind parents and caregivers of the importance of putting infants to sleep safely.
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Although the COVID-19 pandemic halted plans for in-person awareness events this year, Illinois DCFS credits a multi-faceted awareness campaign and community partnerships that began in 2019 with decreasing the number of unsafe sleep deaths from 143 in 2018 to 108 in 2019. In addition to recording a public service announcement and promoting safe sleep messages across social media, the department collaborated with the Illinois Child Death Review Teams to promote the ABCs of Safe Sleep on billboards in Springfield, Bloomington and Chicago and with Pace bus to place our message on 730 buses visible to daily riders across the Chicago suburbs.
“Infant safe sleep deaths are preventable; and although it is encouraging to see the number of infant deaths due to unsafe sleep decrease from one year ago, parents and caregivers must remain vigilant and put their infant to sleep Alone, on his or her Back, in a safe Crib – every time,” said Illinois DCFS Acting Director Marc D. Smith.
In 2019, 108 infants in Illinois under the age of 1 died as a result of being put to sleep unsafely. 87 were found in locations other than a crib, bassinet or ‘pack and play;’ 76 were found in positions other than on their back; and 71 were co-sleeping with another individual at the time of death.
Infants sleep safest alone in a crib with a firm mattress and tightly-fitted sheet. The crib should be free of pillows, blankets, bumper pads, stuffed animals and toys. Infants should never be placed on an adult bed or couch to sleep. If parents of young children are traveling, they should call ahead to make sure their accommodations include a crib and bring a ‘pack and play’ if one is not available.
To listen to the PSA, click here.
To view and print ABCs of Safe Sleep information in English, Spanish, Chinese and Polish, click here.
