Guangdong province's first safe haven for abandoned infants was formally put into use on Tuesday, Guangzhou Daily reported.

Located only 50 meters from the gate of Guangzhou Welfare Home, the safe haven will provide the infants a temporary home.

"But the use of the safe haven does not mean that we encourage locals to dump their babies. Life always comes first," said an official from the welfare home.

With floor space of only seven square meters, the safe haven, which cost 120,000 yuan ($19,510), is equipped with special baby beds and thermal compartments.

It will be open from 7 pm to 7 am daily and has no surveillance camera inside.

The adults who send the babies in are instructed to press a button when they leave and staffers will arrive three minutes later to take care of the children.

Contact the writer at zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn