SWEET DREAMS...SAFE SLEEP FOR BABIES
CPSC, INDUSTRY & SAFETY GROUPS MARK BABY SAFETY MONTH WITH SAFE SLEEP
CAMPAIGN
WASHINGTON, D.C. - September is Baby Safety Month. The Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC), the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, Inc.
(JPMA), Babies "R" Us (BRU), the SIDS Alliance and other child safety
organizations are marking Baby Safety Month with the launch of an information
campaign to help babies sleep safely.
The partnership among government, industry and advocacy groups
was announced at a news conference Thursday at the National Press Club in
Washington, D.C. The theme of the campaign is "Sweet Dreams...Safe Sleep
for Babies."
"We usually assume that our babies are safe when they are asleep,"
noted Elaine Tyrrell, CPSC's Director of Outreach. "But even the most
cautious parents may not be aware of the hidden hazards of placing babies on
adult beds or may not know how important it is to put infants to sleep on their
backs. We've formed this remarkable partnership to spread the word and save
lives."
As part of the campaign, CPSC is providing safety tips for parentsand caregivers
to use in creating safe sleep environments for babies.
The tips include:
-
Babies placed on adult beds risk suffocation from several hidden
hazards, such as entrapment between the bed and wall
-
Always place your baby to sleep on his or her back to reduce the
risk of SIDS
-
To reduce the risk of suffocation, remove all soft bedding, such
as pillows, thick quilts and comforters, before placing your baby to sleep
JPMA is sending 4000 colorful information packets to retailers
nationwide, instructing them on how to participate in the campaign.
JPMA is also sending to retailers 8000 posters that list the
safety tips. In addition, JPMA has produced a smaller version of the
poster to serve as a packaging insert for manufacturers and retailers. Some
retailers are holding safety seminars for consumers.
"JPMA has always promoted Baby Safety Month and supports CPSC's efforts to
educate parents and caregivers about safe sleep practices," said Jennifer
Szwalek, Vice President, Communications, at the Association. "Babies
are our most precious resource and parents deserve helpful information to assist
them."
Babies "R" Us has printed nearly 1 million pamphlets containing
the tips and will hand them out to consumers at its 173 stores
nationwide. Many of the stores are conducting seminars about "Safe
Sleep" with the help of CPSC field staff and SIDS Alliance affiliates.
Consumers may download the Babies "R" Us pamphlet and
the JPMA insert in both English and Spanish from www.CPSC.gov.
"There is nothing more important that a baby's health and safety,"
said Tom DeLuca, Vice President, Product Development Safety Assurance,
Toys "R" Us, Inc. "At Babies "R"
Us, we see expectant parents and new parents all the time. Offering
information on safe sleep is only one way Babies "R" Us and www.Babiesrus.com
can assist parents during this very important time in their lives."
Babies "R" Us is also delivering 200,000 pamphlets to childbirth
educators nationwide through the American Baby Group, publishers of American
Baby magazine. www.Babiesrus.com
will provide safety resources free on line.
The SIDS Alliance is supporting the campaign and is working withall of the
partners to inform consumers about the safe sleep tips.
"The SIDS Alliance applauds the Sweet Dreams...Safe Sleep for
Babies campaign and its partner organizations, CPSC, JPMA and BRU, for
their efforts to save precious lives," said Laura Reno, Director of
Marketing and Public Relations, National SIDS Alliance. "The SIDS
Alliance remains dedicated to educating parents and caregivers about the
importance of a safe sleep environment for babies, and will utilize our
nationwide network of families, health professionals and volunteers in
over 50 affiliate chapters to deliver these life-saving messages."
The National SAFE KIDS Campaign, the Danny Foundation, Kids in
Danger and CPSC will also distribute the Babies "R" Us pamphlets.
This
effort represents Phase II of the CPSC's drive to alert consumers to the
hidden hazards of placing babies on adult beds. Phase I was the release,
on May 3, 2002, of CPSC data on these hazards. The CPSC has reports of
more than 100 deaths of children under age 2, most from suffocation,
associated with features of adult beds. These deaths occurred from
January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2001 and involved an entrapment, a fall,
or a situation in which bedding or the position of the child was related
to the death. Nearly all of the children, 98%, were babies under 1 year
old.
Sweet Dreams...Safe Sleep for Babies Safety Tips include:
Always place your baby to sleep on his or her back to reduce the risk of
SIDS. Wherever your baby sleeps should be as safe as possible. Babies
placed on adult beds risk suffocation from several hidden hazards such
as:
-
Entrapment between the bed and wall.
Entrapment involving the bed frame, headboard or footboard.
-
Falls from adult beds onto piles of clothing, plastic bags, or other soft materials resulting in suffocation.
-
Suffocation in soft bedding (such as pillows, thick quilts and
comforters).
To reduce the risk of suffocation, remove all soft bedding such as
pillows, thick quilts, comforters, sheepskins and other pillow-like soft
products before placing your baby to sleep.
When using a crib, make sure it meets current safety standards,
has a firm, tight-fitting mattress and tight-fitting bottom sheet.
When using a portable crib or play yard, be sure to use only the
mattress or pad provided by the manufacturer.
For more information see
Crib Safety News - CPSC, JPMA Launch Campaign About the Hidden Hazards of Placing Babies in Adult Beds
Crib Safety News - A Safe Sleeping Environment for Infants, Crib and Playard Safety and Safe Cribs in Hotels
Public Awareness for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome prompts concerns about "Flat head"
Click here to view Hotel
and Hotel Room
Safety
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Provide Infants and Newborns with a Safe Sleeping
Environment Go to:
For More information on a Safe Sleeping Environment for
Children go to
Crib Safety News - A Safe Sleeping Environment for Infants, Crib and Playard Safety and Safe Cribs in Hotels
Crib Safety News - CPSC, JPMA Launch Campaign About the Hidden Hazards of Placing Babies in Adult Beds
Public Awareness for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome prompts concerns about "Flat head"
For Hotels and Resorts looking for information on Crib
Safety go to:
Crib
Products and Safety Information
Sleeping Options for Children - Playyards, Non-Full Size Cribs, Full Size Cribs, Toddler Beds and Kid Beds for Hotels and Resorts
To purchase portable playyards go to:
Kids Travel Products - Portable Cribs
To view Hotel room Safety Tips Click Below:
See the following sections for other travel news about
safety:
First Aid Safety Tips for Managing an
Emergency Click Below:
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