Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month: Tips For Safe Sleeping

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — The Anne Arundel County Department of Health is reminding residents that October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month, and is offering tips to keep kids safe while sleeping. Sleep-related incidents are the third leading cause of infant deaths, county health officials said in a release.

Since 2016, 16 babies in Anne Arundel County have died due to unsafe sleeping practices, like sleeping under a pile of blankets or bed sharing.

Officials urge everybody taking care of a baby to follow the ABC rule when putting a baby to sleep: Alone, on their Backs, in a safe Crib.

Here are some tips on cribs from county officials:

• use a firm mattress that fits tightly into the crib
• use a well-fitted sheet over the mattress
• crib rails shouldn't be more than a soda can's width (2.6 inches) apart
• make sure loose bedding, bumpers or soft toys are taken out of the crib

You can visit the county's Healthy Moms and Healthy Babies website for more info.

The county also gives out free baby care kits to residents. To get one, visit the website or call 410-222-7223.

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