CHICAGO – During this time of stress and exhaustion, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is joining the Illinois Department of Children and Family services to remind parents of the steps they can take to ensure their children are safe when they sleep.

“Practicing sleep safety is so important but can be overlooked by busy parents,” Feigenholtz said. “I know everyone has a lot on their minds right now, but it’s critical that parents continue to focus on safe practices when they put their children to bed.”

DCFS has outline the ABC’s of safe sleeping practices. A child should never be alone and never sleeping with someone else, should be placed on their back and not on their sides or stomach, and should be in a crib rather than on a bed or a couch. 

Unsafe sleep is one of the leading causes of death for children one year old and younger. Between January 1 and June 30 of 2019, 53 infants died as a result of being put to sleep unsafely. 

Babies are the safest when they are alone in a crib with a firm mattress and tightly-fitted sheets. The crib should not have any pillows, blankets or stuffed animals. Additionally, a baby should never be put to sleep on an adult bed or couch.

“It only takes a moment to make sure children are safe when they’re put to bed, but that moment could be the difference between life and death,” Feigenholtz said.