State Rep. Emily McAsey (D-Lockport) has been working hard to increase educational efforts about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in hospitals statewide by sponsoring legislation, which was signed into law on Tuesday by the Governor, to require new parents to receive instructional information on how to prevent potential infant fatalities.

“More than 2,000 babies a year tragically die as a result of SIDS, a devastating number that can be reduced with greater awareness,” McAsey said. “Education is the most important and critical tool we have to let parents know the steps they can take to prevent SIDS and help protect the safety of their new babies.”

Public Act 96-1116 requires hospitals to offer free educational information and materials to parents or legal guardians regarding SIDS upon discharge from the hospital and establishes requirements for hospital staff to review the materials with patients before they leave the facility. SIDS continues to be the most common cause of death for otherwise healthy babies but education efforts are proving successful in saving newborn lives. Since 1994 the number of infants who have died as a result of a SIDS has declined 68 percent with the help of a program known as Safe Sleep education. This new law takes another step in protecting young children, by implementing policies that increase education practices to reduce the risk of SIDS.

SIDS of Illinois’ Safe Sleep recommendations include:

• Babies sleep safest on their backs, alone in a safe crib;
• Babies should not be around individuals who are smoking;
• Babies need to sleep in a blanket free setting.

Additional recommendations and information is available online at www.sidsillinois.org.

McAsey represents the 85th Representative District, which includes all or portions of Bolingbrook, Crest Hill, Joliet, Lockport, Naperville, Romeoville, Woodridge, and unincorporated Will County. McAsey’s campaign office is located at 416 N. Weber Rd. in Romeoville.