10A NCAC 09 .1719. REQUIREMENTS FOR A SAFE INDOOR/OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT

(a)  The operator of a family child care home shall maintain a safe indoor and outdoor environment for the children in care.  In addition, the operator shall:

(1)           keep all areas used by the children, indoors and outdoors, clean and orderly and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children.  This includes the removal of items that a child can swallow. In addition, loose nails or screws and splinters shall be removed on inside and outside equipment;

(2)           safely store equipment and supplies such as lawnmowers, power tools, or nails, so they are inaccessible to children;

(3)           ensure that all stationary outdoor equipment is firmly anchored and is not installed over concrete or asphalt.  Footings which anchor the equipment shall not be exposed;

(4)           securely mount electric fans out of the reach of children or have a mesh guard on each fan;

(5)           cover all electrical outlets not in use and remove old, cracked or frayed cords in occupied outlets;

(6)           ensure that, for appliances with heating elements, such as bottle warmers, crock pots, irons, coffee pots, or curling irons, neither the appliance nor the cord, if applicable, is accessible to preschool children;

(7)           have solid and safe indoor and outdoor stairs and steps if these are used by the children.  Indoor and outdoor stairs with two or more steps which are used by the children shall be railed.  Indoor stairs with more than two steps shall be made inaccessible to children in care who are two years old or younger;

(8)           maintain any swimming pools or wading pools on the premises in a manner that will safeguard the lives and health of the children.  All swimming or wading pools used by children in care shall meet the "Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools," in accordance with 15A NCAC 18A .2500 which are hereby incorporated by reference including subsequent amendments.  A copy of these Rules is on file at the Division at the address given in Rule .0102 of this Chapter or may be obtained at no cost by writing the North Carolina Division of Environmental Health, 1630 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 26799-1630;

(9)           enclose any in-ground swimming pools by a fence at least four feet high to prevent chance access by children.  The swimming pool shall be separate from the play area.  Access to the water in above ground swimming pools shall be prevented by locking and securing the ladder in place or storing the ladder in a place inaccessible to the children; and

(10)         safely store all combustible materials that may create a fire hazard.

(b)  Prior to enrollment of children in a family child care home, and before new animals that will be in the home come into the family child care home, a parent of each child must sign a form acknowledging the type of animal and where the animal will be during operating hours.  This documentation shall be maintained in each child's file.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 110-85; 110-88; 110-91(3),(4),(5),(6);

Eff. July 1, 1998;

Amended Eff. May 1, 2012; April 1, 2001.