Sarah Ford | May 27, 2014

Summer Safety & Year-round Precautions to Reduce the Risk of SIDS

Now that the weather’s getting warmer, it’s a good time to talk (again!) about the dangers of overheating your baby. Babies are sensitive to extremes in temperature and cannot regulate their internal body temperatures well. Overheating can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS.

  • Always be sure your baby is dressed appropriately for the weather and temperature in your home and outside.
  • Signs of overheating can be sweating and feeling hot to the touch.
  • Never use a blanket or other item as a weather or sun shield. This can trap dangerous carbon dioxide (exhaled air) around your baby’s face. Instead of breathing fresh, oxygen rich air, he will re-breath the exhaled air. Re-breathing is a leading risk factor for SIDS.
  • Keep room temperature at what would be comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.
  • Use a fan in the room to help circulate the air. This can help with both overheating and re-breathing.

Other precautions to be taken year round to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sudden infant deaths…

>> Continue Reading

>> Donate to SIDS Alliance/First Candle

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Explore More Articles

Open Position – Application Specialist, Employee Assistance Funds 

August 4, 2026

Position: Application Specialist, Employee Assistance Funds  Department: Charitable Grants  Reporting Structure: Director, Charitable Grants  Employment Type: Part-time, temporary  Exemption Status: Non-exempt  Location: Remote  Overview of…

Open Position – Director of Business Development 

August 4, 2026

Position: Director of Business Development  Department: Business Development  Reporting Structure: VP, Business Development   Employment Type: Full-time  Exemption Status: Exempt  Location: Remote  Overview of the Role: …

Micro-Influencers and Nonprofits: Local Partnerships

July 27, 2026

What does your nonprofit’s digital presence look like these days? Having a website and social media accounts almost goes without saying, and your team likely…

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Receive our monthly/bi-monthly newsletter filled with information about causes, nonprofit impact, and topics important for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement professionals, including disaster response, workplace giving, matching gifts, employee assistance funds, volunteering, scholarship award program management, grantmaking, and other philanthropic initiatives.

newsletter-mock