FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 24, 2023

COLUMBIA, S.C. — October marks both Safe Sleep Month and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) continues to join several organizations in helping babies stay safe and reach their first birthday. 

SIDS is the sudden death of an infant younger than one year of age that cannot be explained. According to the most recent South Carolina Infant Mortality Report, SIDS was the fourth-leading cause of infant deaths in 2021. Accidents were the fifth-leading cause of death in the same year. Most accidental infant deaths are related to unsafe sleep. 

The risk of SIDS can be reduced by having a smoke-free home, getting prenatal care as soon as possible, keeping an infant’s immunizations up-to-date, breastfeeding and following safe sleep rules every time the baby sleeps.   

DHEC’s Bureau of Maternal and Child Health’s recent efforts to promote safe sleep awareness include setting up Clear the Crib challenges at community events, updating its safe sleep video and revising its safe sleep brochure. 

Additionally, DHEC is holding a Safe Sleep Photo Contest during the month of October. Throughout the month, photos showing a correct safe sleep environment can be submitted to the agency through an online form. Five entries will be randomly selected to win.  

“DHEC is dedicated to educating new and expectant parents about safe sleep practices that can help their child stay protected while sleeping,” said Elizabeth B. Biddle, DHEC Maternal and Child Health Outreach Coordinator. “We encourage sharing these practices with everyone taking care of a child including grandparents, other family members and childcare providers. Sleep related deaths are 100% preventable, and it’s important that safe sleep practices are followed every time baby sleeps, including naps and after waking in the middle of the night.”  

This year, DHEC also purchased 15,000 board books from Charlie’s Kids Foundation. The book provides safe sleep guidance for parents and caregivers in the form of a bedtime story for babies and are available in both English and Spanish. DHEC’s regional Community Engagement teams and Maternal and Child Health staff are distributing the books at community events and during newborn home visits at no cost to parents and caregivers.  

DHEC also encourages all caregivers to learn safe sleep practices, like the ABCs of Safe Sleep – Leave your baby Alone on their Back in their Crib. Cribs should always be clear of any items such as pillows, blankets, toys and stuffed animals, to keep baby safe for naps and at night. 

From 2019-2021, an estimated 77% of new parents placed their infant to sleep exclusively on their back, and an estimated 62% of new parents always place their baby to sleep alone in their own sleep space, according to Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data.  

Learn more by visiting DHEC’s Safe Sleep, Every Sleep webpage. Information is also available by visiting the Safe to Sleep campaign’s Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk. 

Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to talk to their child’s health care provider for any questions or concerns about SIDS and safe sleep practices. 

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