October is Safe Sleep for Babies Month
From 2010-2013, Hamilton County had 66 infant deaths related to unsafe sleep conditions. We can change this. By working together as a community, we can promote, educate, and connect families to resources that will enable safe sleep practices.Phenomenal work is already happening in our community, thanks to the efforts of partner agencies and organizations.
Kroger is including safe sleep messaging in the baby food and diaper aisles of 10 local stores. Large floor decals that remind parents of the Safe Sleep ABCs will be in stores during October. 
Cincinnati Water Works is distributing 163,000 safe sleep flyers with local water bills this fall.
The Cincinnati Health Department is providing free cribs to families in need. Families can call 211 for more information.Local maternity hospitals and the Ohio Hospital Association are developing safe sleep policies and promoting the Safe Sleep ABCs in their nurseries.Deskey and Radio One will launch a series of radio commercials promoting safe sleep this fall.The de Cavel family SIDS Foundation is hosting their annual “Friends and Family Brunch” at the Culinary Institute to raise money for safe sleep awareness and SIDS research on Sunday, October 19th.Cincinnati Children’s is promoting safe sleep by distributing “This Side Up” onesies (to remind parents that babies sleep safest on their backs) at their Primary Pediatric Care Center and Hopple Street Neighborhood Health Center.Charlie’s Kids, the Ohio Department of Health, and The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) are giving away “Sleep Baby, Safe and Snug”, a book that teaches safe sleep practices, to families enrolled in WIC.The Christ Hospital will gift all new families with a "sleep sack", a wearable blanket for infants, this fall. Sleep sacks serve as a replacement for bulky blankets that can cover a baby's airway.Mercy Health is distributing awareness bracelets to staff and families throughout October.The new Queen Bee Half Marathon will include safe sleep materials in their online goodie bag.The State of Ohio will vote on legislation introduced by Senators Shannon Jones and Charleta Tavares that would increase safe sleep education across our state.The Cincinnati Recreation Centers and The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County are displaying safe sleep materials through the month of October.The Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics has created a toolkit that can be used by partners participating in SIDS Awareness month, including sample social media posts using #MoreFirstBirthdays. Access the toolkit and other materials on safe sleep on their website.You can help, too. If you are a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, follow the Safe Sleep ABCs when putting a baby to sleep – babies should always sleep Alone, on their Back, and in a Crib. For those who aren’t caregivers, you can teach others the Safe Sleep ABCs. And everyone can help connect families in need of a crib to the United Way 211 hotline. Let's ensure that all babies sleep safely each and every night.