The Town of Bernalillo Fire and Rescue Department is reminding the community that its Safe Haven Baby Box is an emergency resource and should not be treated like a curiosity. A recent post on the department’s Facebook page mentioned several incidents in which the door of the Baby Box was opened unnecessarily.
“Please remember that the Safe Haven Baby Box intended to provide a safe, secure, and anonymous option for the surrender of an infant under New Mexico Safe Haven laws,” the post states.
The Baby Box, installed in December, is a small climate-controlled alcove containing a bassinet. When the door is opened, it sounds an alarm for dispatchers, who then alert fire crews to attend to the baby until the child can be taken to a hospital. When there is no baby, fire department staff say, it’s not just a waste of time, but also potentially dangerous.
“When the box is opened, it immediately activates emergency alerts and requires a response from emergency personnel,” the department posted. “Misuse of this system can interfere with emergency operations and the integrity of this critical lifesaving resource. We understand that many community members may simply be curious about how the Safe Haven Baby Box works.”
The department urges those interested in learning more about the purpose of the baby box or how the system operates to contact staff. “We would be more than happy to provide education and answer any questions,” the post concludes. “Thank you for helping us protect and respect this important community resource.”