The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is warning parents to protect their babies while they are sleeping after three children died within a 40-hour period over the weekend.

Acting prosecutor Robert Laurino says that babies should never sleep in the same beds as their parents. Babies should sleep on a firm surface, free of other objects and people, and should be put to sleep laying on their backs.

Laurino added that children should also be kept away from exposure to smoke.

Officials say that the three deaths over the weekend appear to be accidents and that foul play is not suspected.