The Oklahoma City Fire Department Unveils New Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 21

OKC Fire Department

The Oklahoma City Fire Department is proud to announce the opening of a new Safe Haven Baby Boxes, providing a safe and anonymous option for parents who are unable or unwilling to care for their newborns.

Deputy Chief Mike Walker lead this initiative as part of the department’s ongoing commitment to the safety and welfare of our community. With the installation of the Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 21, parents now have a discreet and secure method to surrender their infants, ensuring that they are protected and receive the care they deserve.

The Safe Haven Baby Box is a climate-controlled and fully-monitored enclosure located in the NE exterior of Fire Station 21. It is equipped with motion sensors and a silent alarm system that immediately alerts emergency personnel upon an infant’s placement inside. This ensures that the baby is promptly attended to and provided with necessary medical attention. We understand that there may be circumstances in which parents feel overwhelmed or unable to care for their newborns. We hope the baby box will provide a safe haven for these babies, giving them a chance at life and a bright future. The Safe Haven Baby Box program operates under the state’s Safe Haven laws, which allow parents to surrender infants up to 30 days old without fear of prosecution, as long as the baby is unharmed. Upon retrieval of the infant, local social services agencies ensure that the child is placed in a suitable and loving home, where their well-being will be prioritized. The opening of the Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 21 represents a significant milestone for our community, solidifying our dedication to the well-being and safety of everyone. This is the first baby box established in Oklahoma and the 152nd baby box installed nationwide. The baby box blessing ceremony took place at Fire Station 21 today and is officially operational. We would like to give a special thanks to Fostering Sweet Dreams for their donation and helping establish the Safe Haven Baby Box in OKC.