There are some things in life that we hope are never used, but we’re much better off as a community that the option is there.

Such is the case with the latest Safe Haven Baby Box that was blessed this past week at the headquarters of the Wheeling Fire Department.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes allow a struggling mother wishing to surrender a child do so anonymously in a temperature-controlled and alarmed box. That box also will alert first responders, who will come and check that the child isn’t suffering any health issues.

This is the second Baby Box at a Wheeling fire station, the first being placed on Wheeling Island.

West Virginia Safe Haven laws already allow struggling mothers to surrender their babies at fire stations, but those interactions have been face to face. Wheeling Fire Chief James Blazier said that could lead to a hesitancy from the mothers.

“That’s a personal situation when you’re face-to-face with whoever you’re surrendering the baby to,” he said. “It may be an uncomfortable situation. We want to have this alternative so that they have a safe way to do it anonymously so that bad choices aren’t made and a baby is left somewhere where they could be injured … or worse.”

One can’t imagine the internal conflict that can come with making the decision to surrender a baby. Sometimes, it gives that baby a better chance at life, allowing it to be adopted and raised by another family. It can be a crushing choice, but items like the Baby Boxes allow those mothers to make the choice discreetly and ensure that the baby will be in a safe environment, rather than somewhere hidden that jeopardizes the baby’s chance for survival.

Again, it’s something we hope no one needs to use, but it’s a relief to know that such a thing is there if necessary.

“This new Safe Haven Box location represents our community’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable and supporting those facing unimaginable decisions,” said Margaret Denny, assistant vice president for Patient Care Services at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital. “It stands as a symbol of hope, safety and dignity. It’s a reminder that even in the hardest moments, compassion and care are always in reach.”

Sometimes mothers are put in the impossible situation of that hardest moment. Thankfully, the Wheeling Fire Department is doing its part to make sure that, if that decision is made, the baby will be safe.