Testing is ongoing with the newly installed Safe Haven Baby Box at the Plymouth Fire Department.
Under the state’s Safe Haven Law, a Safe Haven Baby Box legally permits a mother in crisis to safely, securely, and anonymously surrender a newborn if she is unable to care for the child. The mother can utilize the Safe Haven Baby Box at the Plymouth Fire Department by opening a door on an exterior wall. It automatically locks upon placement of a newborn inside the Baby Box. An interior door allows a medical staff member to tend to the child upon an alarm notification two minutes following the surrender.
Fire Chief Steve Holm gave an update to the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members Monday night.
Holm stated, “It is available if a baby were to be put in there today. It’s functioning as it is supposed to. Everything will work. As far as actually being online with the company and their website, it won’t be recognized as a live box until we finish the testing process. That started last Friday.”
Holm said it is being tested every day through Thursday this week.
Holm added, “After all seven of those go through with a positive alarm and dispatch, then it will go live on their system so it will be recognized as a place that is accepting babies at that time.”
The Safe Haven Baby Box system will continue to be tested once a week during its lifetime.
