The Rumford Fire Department is set to launch Maine’s first Safe Haven Baby Box this February, aimed at preventing tragic cases of infant abandonment.
Rumford Fire Chief Chris Reed expressed, “I hope we never need to use it. But at least it provides an option.”
The Safe Haven Baby Box is designed to stop parents from leaving newborns in hazardous situations that might lead to fatal outcomes. These baby boxes are temperature-controlled incubators, typically integrated into the walls of fire stations, police departments, and hospitals, allowing mothers to safely and legally leave their newborns. Once a baby is placed inside the box, the outer door locks, giving the mother time to exit before an alarm is triggered to notify emergency responders.
Following this, the baby is promptly taken to the hospital for medical evaluation. Typically, the child is then placed into state custody and often adopted shortly thereafter.
Reed mentioned that the baby box is nearly ready, requiring just electrical wiring and two weeks of staff training. If things go smoothly, they anticipate it will be operational by mid-February.
This initiative comes in light of the 2021 amendment to the state’s Safe Haven Act, which allows the installation of baby boxes at fire stations, police departments, and hospitals.
Mayor George O’Keeffe of Rumford remarked, “We aim to break the cycle of violence that leads to young children’s deaths. I believe this effort is very significant.”
Former state Senator Lisa Keim, a strong advocate for baby boxes within the state’s safe haven law, visited the fire station recently to see the progress. “Our goal is for these children to be cared for, to have loving homes, and to be safe,” she said, commending the Rumford community’s hard work to bring this initiative to fruition. “Providing mothers with a genuinely anonymous option could possibly save a child’s life.”
The Baby Box will be the first in Maine, but other fire departments are also exploring the potential to establish similar facilities. Officials from the Bath Fire Department have indicated that baby boxes are expected to be operational by 2027, with the opening of a new fire station.
The Safe Haven Baby Box initiative also includes a Confidential National Safety Haven Hotline, 1-866-99BABY1, which offers free counseling and information about safe handovers, including in-person options.
