Safe Sleep Awareness Month and COVID Updates

October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month, and the Florida Department of Children and Families and Prevent Child Abuse Florida are reminding all child care providers about the importance of placing babies in a safe sleep environment while they are in your care. By following the ABCs of Safe Sleep, child care providers can help prevent injury and reduce the risk of SIDS.

	Alone – Ensure babies are alone in their sleep area. This means no pillows, blankets, bumpers, toys, or other soft objects are around. Also be sure to check for cords or other potential strangulation hazards around the sleeping area.
	Backs – Placing infants on their backs to sleep has been proven to reduce SIDS. Babies should always be placed on their backs when you put them down for a nap.
	Cribs – Studies have shown that the risk for infant death by suffocation is up to 40 times greater when placed in an adult bed than in a crib. Even if the bed is empty, an adult mattress poses a risk for babies. Always place infants to sleep in a crib, portable crib, bassinet, or other safety-approved sleep surface. The mattress should be firm, and the sheet should fit snugly. Additionally, babies should not share sleeping surfaces with each other or with adults (no couches, chairs, recliners, etc).

Child care providers should follow the ABCs of Safe Sleep until children are at least one year of age. Providers are encouraged to also promote safe sleep guidelines to families.

Helpful resources on safe sleep:

• Read more information on safe sleep in child care centers
• Request free safe sleep promotional materials
• Share safe sleep messaging with parents through newsletters and social media

Please also see additional COVID guidance from the Florida Department of Health regarding indoor quality and cleaning/disinfecting:

• Child Care COVID-19 FAQ