Safe Sleep campaign<\/a>, which aims to educate families with babies about safe sleep practices and provide them with resources including access to a baby box or even a crib, if needed.<\/p>\nThroughout the month of February, the agency is encouraging all Arizonans to share the message about the importance of safe sleep environment. This is especially important, as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is the leading cause of preventable infant death for babies ages 1 month to 1 year old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/p>\n
In Arizona, sleep suffocation is the leading cause of death for infants, said Vanessa Bustillos, the statewide prevention coordinator for the DCS Office of Prevention.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main message is that it can happen to anyone,\u201d Bustillos said. \u201cEvery month in Arizona, there are multiple unsafe sleep fatalities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Follow the ABCs<\/h2>\n
The campaign encourages parents and caregivers to follow the ABCs of safe sleep: alone, back, crib. In other words, the baby should sleep alone, on his or her back and in a crib, which is the safest place for babies to sleep. Cribs should not include bumpers, pillows, blankets or toys. Lay babies on their back every time they nap or sleep.<\/p>\n
Another part of the campaign is a video of families sharing their stories of how their baby died after being placed in an unsafe sleep environment.<\/p>\n