The Lexington Fire Department placed into service Lexington’s first Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station No. 2, located at 1276 Eastland Drive, the city said in a press release.
Safe Haven Baby boxes offer a compassionate and secure option for mothers in crisis who cannot care for their newborns.
“The Safe Haven Baby Box program offers a life-saving environment for newborns,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “We are fortunate to bring the program to Lexington, and to have Lexington Fire Department Fire Station No. 2 serve as the location of our first Safe Haven Baby Box. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus.”
Our gratitude goes out to our local Knights of Columbus for their generous financial donation and to Mayor Gorton and the Urban County Council, who approved the installation. The support and advocacy of those community members helped make this life-saving device a reality in Fayette County. Chief Jason Wells said “We are in the life-saving business and we are overjoyed to offer this service to our community”.
These boxes are designed with innovative safety features, ensuring the utmost security for the infants. Installed on the exterior walls of fire stations and hospitals, each box ensures infants’ safe and anonymous surrender. The exterior door locks automatically when a newborn is placed inside, and an interior door allows medical personnel to promptly and securely retrieve the baby, ensuring immediate care and protection.
As a community, we can help spread the word about this life-saving initiative. A Safe Haven Baby Box provides a lifeline for mothers and a safe beginning for their newborns. Battalion Chief Derek Roberts stated, “This was no easy task. Many motivated and invested individuals brought this installation to fruition, and we are thankful that mothers in Lexington now have access to a Safe Haven Baby Box.”
