Letter - Raising awareness can lower number of deaths

To the editor:

Every year there are 20 to 28 infants younger than age 1 who die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). That is just in Minnesota.

In the United States, there are 2,500 SIDS deaths a year. Since 1983, SIDS’ deaths have decreased by 50 percent.

Since the first of the year, Minnesota has had six infants die in licensed child care homes. In Minnesota, 40 percent of SIDS deaths have occurred in child care settings. The number has been declining over the years because of the awareness that has been raised.

The main way to decrease the chances of SIDS is to place children younger than age 1 on their back when sleeping. There are other ways as well, such as keeping the atmosphere smoke free, nothing else put in the crib with the child, thin sheets and firm mattresses, etc.

Raising the awareness to parents and caregivers can lower the number of SIDS deaths.

Alysa Leedahl and Hayley Lowers,

ATCC child development program students

Alexandria, MN

Tags: opinion, letters