Every year, 4,000 infant deaths occur in the U.S. due to accidental suffocation

Every year in the United States, approximately 4,000 infant deaths occur due to accidental suffocation, asphyxia, or undetermined causes during sleep. According to the Ohio Department of Health, every week in Ohio, 3 babies die in unsafe sleep environments. That's why Huron County Public Health offers the Baby Sleep Safe program. The program is available to anyone who qualifies for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants and children (WIC) and lacks a safe sleep environment for their child, and has a child under the age of one or are at least 32 weeks pregnant. The Baby Sleep Safe program offers parents one or more of the benefits below: Safe Sleep Education Safe Sleep Kit Portable Crib Fitted sheet Sleep sack Pacifier The program is available by appointment. To make an appointment, call 419-668-1652 ext. 241.This work is funded either in whole or in part by a grant awarded by the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Maternal, Child and Family Health, Maternal Child Health Program's Cribs for Kids® Safe Sleep Program and as a sub-award of a grant issued by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers these tips for parents with infants: Place infants on their backs for sleep in their own sleep space with no other people. Use a crib, bassinet or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Avoid sleep on a couch or armchair or in a seating device, like a swing or car safety seat (except while riding in the car). Keep loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers and other soft items out of the sleep space. Breastfeed if possible and avoid smoking.