There are 8 cot death risks in the picture:

Nursery: the baby is in his own nursery. The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first six months is in a crib or cot in a room with you. Research has also shown that a baby who sleeps in a cot in a separate room from his parents is nearly twice as likely to die as a cot death than one who shares a room with his parent or parents. Read more about where your baby should sleep.

Side sleeping: the baby is asleep on her side. The safest way for your baby to sleep is on the back. It is not safe for babies to sleep on their fronts or sides. Babies sleeping on their sides have twice the risk of cot death as babies who are sleeping on their backs. Always sleep your baby on her back, but when she is awake allow her to spend time on her front.

Feet-to-foot: the baby is in the middle of the cot and not in the ‘feet-to-foot’ position. Place your baby with his feet to the foot of the cot, so he can’t wriggle down under the covers. Don’t worry if he wriggles up and gets uncovered. You can also use a baby sleeping bag.

Bedclothes: the blankets in the cot are loose. It can be dangerous if your baby’s head gets covered when she sleeps. In the UK’s largest-ever cot death study, 16% of cot death babies were found with bed covers over their heads compared with 3% of babies who didn’t die. Tuck in the bedclothes firmly and no higher than the shoulders. Use layers of lightweight blankets. To check if your baby is too hot, look for sweating or feel the back of your baby’s neck or their tummy. Keep an eye on the room temperature.

Pillow: there is a pillow in the cot. If your baby is under one year old, never use a pillow, quilt or duvet.

Hat: there is a hat on the baby’s head. Babies need to lose excess heat from their heads, so remove hats and extra clothing as soon as you come indoors or enter a warm bus, train or shop, even if it means waking your baby.

Dummy: there is no dummy in the baby’s mouth. Using a dummy every time you settle your baby to sleep – day and night – can reduce the risk of cot death. If breastfeeding, do not begin to give a dummy until your baby is one month old to ensure breastfeeding is well-established. Read more about dummies.

Radiator: the cot is positioned next to a radiator and under a window. Babies don’t need especially warm rooms and all-night heating is rarely needed. Babies should never sleep next to a radiator or in direct sunlight. To keep an eye on the temperature, buy a simple room thermometer.

The picture also shows:
Bumpers: there are cot bumpers in the cot. In the past, there were concerns that bumpers might make babies too hot, increasing the risk of cot death. However, research has shown that they have neither good nor bad effects. Take it out when your baby can get up on her hands and knees so she can’t climb out. Make sure there are no trailing strings or ties.

Smoking:
The picture doesn’t show parents smoking near the baby, but this is a major risk for cot death. Read more about the dangers of smoking.

Now find out what a safe sleep environment for your baby looks like.