Keep Your Baby Safe at Night

Thousands of deaths occur each year while children sleep.

• A baby should always sleep face up. Make sure that everyone who comes into contact with your infant -- you, grandparents and other relatives, childcare providers, babysitters -- know to always place an infant on his or her back at night or naptime.
• Use a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib or bassinet. Do not use a crib with a mattress that allows you to fit two fingers between it and the sides of the crib.
• Never put an infant on a waterbed, bean bag, or anything soft enough to cover the face.
• Do not place a crib within reach of window blind or curtain cords.
• Test the batteries in your smoke detectors on the first day of every month. Change the batteries twice a year.
• Plan and practice a fire escape route with your family.

For more information:
American SIDS Institute
National Maternal and Child Health Clearinghouse
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission