Safe Sleep

The UnionCounty Health Department wants every child to be safe. That’s why we offer free Pack ‘N Plays to Union County families who need a safe place for their baby to sleep. To be eligibile for a free Pack ‘N Play, expectant parents must be at least 36 weeks or have an infant under 1 year of age and be income eligible (WIC or Medicaid eligible). To learn more about the Cribs for Kids program, please call Susie Knox, BSN at 937-642-2053.

Ohio Facts

  • More than three Ohio infant deaths each week are sleep-related.
  • Infant sleep-related deaths outnumber deaths of children of all ages (0-17) from vehicular crashes.
  • Forty-two percent of infant deaths from one month to one year old are sleep related.
  • Sixty percent of sleep related deaths occurred in adult beds, on couches or on chairs; only 23 percent occurred in cribs or bassinets.
  • Sixty-six percent occurred to infants who were sharing a sleep surface with another person

Check out the below safe sleep brochure and find more information here.

Safe Sleep Brochure

Safe Sleep Recommendations

  • Always place your baby on his or her back for every sleep time.
  • Always use a firm sleep surface. Car seats and other sitting devices are not recommended for routine sleep.
  • The baby should sleep in the same room as the parents, but not in the same bed (room-sharing without bed-sharing).
  • Keep soft objects or loose bedding out of the crib. This includes pillows, blankets, and bumper pads.
  • Don’t use wedges and sleep positioners.
  • Pregnant women should receive regular prenatal care.
  • Don’t smoke during pregnancy or after birth.
  • Breastfeeding is recommended.
  • Offer a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.
  • Avoid covering the infant’s head or overheating.
  • Do not use home monitors or commercial devices marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS.
  • Infants should receive all recommended vaccinations.
  • Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended daily to facilitate development and minimize the occurrence of positional plagiocephaly (flat heads).

Parent Tools

Use the Safe Crib Checklist to make sure your crib and sleep environment are safe.

Safe Crib Checklist

The Safe Sleep Assessment Tool lists the recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics for safe sleep.

Safe Sleep Assessment Tool

Take our Infant Safe Sleep Quiz and be entered to win a free Side Carrier from Aprica.

Infant Safe Sleep Quiz

The Travelling Safe Sleep Crib has been on display in locations throughout the county including the Union County Health Department and the Board of Developmental Disabilities at the Harold Lewis Center. To have this crib on display at your business or school, email Emma.Brofsky@uchd.net.