Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has introduced the state’s latest Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 4, located at 1321 Medical Center Boulevard. This initiative was marked by a gathering of Safe Haven representatives, Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department (MFRD) personnel, and local community leaders for the official blessing of the new baby box.
A Safe Haven Baby Box provides a secure and anonymous option for parents who are unable or unwilling to care for their infants. The process involves placing the baby inside the box, closing the door, which then triggers a sensor alerting first responders. This system is designed to prevent unsafe abandonment and ensure that infants receive proper care in accordance with legal protocols.
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Jessi Getrost, executive assistant with Safe Haven Baby Boxes, noted that the new location offers a compassionate option for parents in crisis, ensuring every infant has a chance for a safe future. Currently, there are 11 Safe Haven Baby Box locations in Tennessee, and 272 across the country. These boxes are temperature-controlled, automatically lock when a baby is placed inside, and are available 24/7.
MFRD Fire Chief Mark McCluskey expressed gratitude to the Safe Haven team and the city of Murfreesboro, emphasizing the critical life-saving role of this resource. He highlighted that this gives parents a safe place to surrender their infants, rather than abandoning them in unsafe areas. MFRD personnel have been trained on the operation of the box and will conduct weekly tests to ensure functionality.
The Safe Haven Baby Boxes align with Tennessee’s Safe Haven Law, allowing parents to surrender infants anonymously without fear of arrest or prosecution. This law provides an essential option for parents in crisis, facilitating the safe surrender of infants without face-to-face interaction with first responders.
More information on infant surrendering laws and resources can be found at shbb.org. A video demonstration of how the Safe Haven Baby Box works is available here.
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Murfreesboro Fire Department Promotes Fire Safety
The Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department (MFRD) is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for Fire Prevention Week 2024, themed “Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You!”, focusing on the importance of smoke alarms in fire safety from October 6 to October 12. MFRD emphasizes installing and maintaining smoke alarms to reduce fire-related deaths, with additional activities planned for community engagement, such as an open house event on October 12, 2024. Fire Prevention Week, observed since 1925, aims to educate the public on fire safety while commemorating the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.