The Safe Crib program provides cribs for newborns and infants under one (1) year of age to families in need. The cribs are intended to provide a safe sleeping environment for infants who would not otherwise have one. Many new parents who cannot afford a crib elect to sleep with their baby. This is a VERY dangerous practice as accidental death of the infant can occur in matter of minutes.
Who qualifies for the Safe Crib program?
If you are a new parent with no access to a baby bed, then you qualify. Our goals are to make sure all babies have a safe sleeping environment, to educate parents about infant sleep safety and prevent unintentional accidents from occurring.
Participants in the program must agree to:
- Place babies on their back to sleep
- Place babies on a firm, flat surface
- Use a sheet which fits tightly around the mattress
- Use a sleeper or a sleep sack instead of a blanket
- Keep baby’s head and face uncovered
Participants in the program must agree NOT to:
- Place babies on a soft mattress, couch, chair, pillow or other soft surface
- Place babies on a mattress propped up against a wall
- Dress babies too warmly
- Use a crib with openings wider than a soda can (2 3/8″)
- Let babies sleep with toys, pillows, bumper pads, other children or pets
- Use wedges or cushions to position babies
- Smoke or allow anyone else to smoke near babies
- Allow babies to sleep in the same space as someone who:
- Is a smoker
- Has used alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications
- Is too tired to respond to the baby
- Is very overweight
- Is a child
- Is a smoker
