BELLEVILLE — According to the CDC, each year there are 3,400 sudden unexpected infant deaths in the United States. During Baby Safety Month, Caritas Family Solutions is working to raise awareness and educate families with baby safety tips and how to ensure that a home is a safe environment for babies.
According to a press release, Caritas is a nonprofit in Southern Illinois that currently serves more than 7,000 people including 2,300 foster children. They also have other service lines including senior employment, community family stabilization programs, adoption, counseling, and independent living for adults with disabilities.
“I always encourage our adoptive and foster parents to ensure that the crib and sleeping environment for infants adheres to safety standards, reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS),” said Hope Carbonaro, Caritas Family Solutions chief program officer.
“Always use a firm mattress with a fitted sheet, keep the crib free from loose bedding, and ensure no cords or objects nearby that could pose a strangulation hazard. We also encourage our families to avoid sleeping with their babies entirely.
“We want to create a secure environment by staying vigilant and informed and co-sleeping can be very dangerous.”
Support for parents
Carbonaro said they always encourage families to babyproof their entire home by securing heavy furniture and sharp objects, covering electrical outlets, and using safety gates to prevent accidents as your little one starts to explore their surroundings.
“Another tip we share with our adoptive, foster and intact families is to never buy a used car seat from garage sales, flea markets, second-hand stores, or online when you don’t know the previous owner or the complete history of the car seat,” Carbonaro said. “It is unsafe when a used car seat has been in a crash or if it lacks parts, labels, or instructions. Similarly, it is unsafe if a car seat has been recalled and not repaired.”
The nonprofit is always looking for new adoptive and foster parents looking to provide a loving and safe home. For more information on how you can become one, head to caritasfamilysolutions.org.
Many services offered
Founded in 1947, Caritas Family Solutions is a nonprofit social service agency whose mission is to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families in order to create healthy relationships, loving homes and strong communities.
Services include adoption, community family stabilization programs, foster care, counseling, residential treatment for children healing from abuse and/or neglect, independent living for adults with developmental disabilities (CILA), and assisted living and employment assistance for low-income seniors.
Caritas serves more than 7,000 individuals annually across Southern Illinois from offices located in Belleville, Carterville, Mount Vernon, Olney, Glen Carbon, Alton, and Effingham as well as satellite locations in Highland and Sparta. For additional information, visit www.caritasfamilysolutions.org.
