Connecticut Administrative Code › Title 19a - Public Health and Well-being › 87b - Family Day Care Homes › Section 19a-87b-9 - Requirements for the Physical Environment

Current through July 10, 2024
(a)
Cleanliness
The facility and equipment shall be kept in a clean and
				sanitary condition and shall not pose a health hazard to children. The
				commissioner, upon inspection, may require the provider to correct any
				violation of this section that may put children at risk of injury.
(b)
Freedom from
			 Hazards
The facility and equipment shall be in good repair, and
				reasonably free from anything that may be potentially dangerous to children.
				The commissioner, upon inspection, may require the provider to correct any
				condition under this section that may put children at risk.
(c)
Absence of Potentially Harmful
			 Substances and Materials
All potentially harmful substances and
			 materials, including but not limited to, cleaning supplies, cosmetics,
			 toiletries, medication, alcoholic beverages and other toxins shall be
			 inaccessible to children. Poisonous and unidentified plants shall be removed
			 from the area, protected by barriers, or kept out of the reach of children. Bio
			 contaminants, including but not limited to, blood, bodily fluids or excretions
			 that may spread infectious disease, shall be disposed of in a safe manner and
			 in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, when applicable.
(d)
Fire Safety
The provider shall ensure that the family child care home
				provides a reasonable degree of safety from fire, which shall include, but not
				be limited to, the following requirements:
(1) Safe Storage of Flammable Materials
Materials such as, but not limited to, flammable or combustible
				liquids, cleaning solvents, paints, excess amounts of combustible solids and
				fabrics shall be properly stored and out of reach of children.
(2) Safe Door Fasteners
Fasteners for doors to cupboards, closets and rooms shall be
				designed so that it is impossible child to become locked in the enclosed
				area.
Every room used for child care or capable of access by
				children, when provided with a door latch or lock, shall be of a type that
				children can open from the inside and each lock shall be designed to permit
				opening of the locked door from the outside in an emergency. The opening device
				shall be readily accessible to the provider and staff.
(3) Electrical Safety
Electrical cords and appliances shall be secured and in good
				repair.
Electrical cords shall not hang within reach of children.
				Protective covers or approved safety outlets shall be provided for all
				electrical receptacles in all areas accessible to children.
(4) Safe Exits
There shall be two readily accessible, passable, remotely
				located and safe means of escape from each room used for child care in the
				family child care home. Every room used by children for sleeping, living, or
				dining purposes shall have at least two means of escape, at least one of which
				shall be a door or stairway providing a means of unobstructed travel to the
				outside of the building at street or ground level. The second means of escape
				maybe a window that is accessible and openable from the inside without the use
				of tools and provides a clear opening. Such window shall have an area not less
				than 5.7 square feet and shall measure not less than twenty inches in width and
				twenty four inches in height. The bottom of the opening of the window shall be
				not more than forty-four inches above the floor or fixed landing, and any
				latching device shall be capable of being used from not more than fifty-four
				inches above the fioor or fixed landing.
(A) The provider shall remain with the
			 children at all times, when the children are being cared for in space below
			 ground level, to assist with emergency exiting.
(B) Passageways leading to means of escape
			 shall have adequate lighting and be kept free from barriers or
			 obstructions.
(C) All means of
			 escape shall be easily opened and kept free of obstructions at all
			 times.
(D) Every stairway shall
			 have a sturdy handrail with no areas in which a child may fall through, shall
			 provide safe passageway and be maintained free of obstructions. There shall be
			 a gate or other structure in place that may be hung, drawn or lowered at the
			 entry of stairways accessible to children to prevent falls. If only school age
			 children are present, gates or other structures at stairway entries are not
			 required to be in place but shall be available at the family child care
			 home.
(E) During an inspection,
			 Office staff may require the provider to demonstrate the safety and feasibility
			 of children and staff using intended escape routes.
(5) Emergency Plan
The provider shall have a written plan for the protection of
				children and child care staff in the event of emergencies, including, but not
				limited to, fire, medical, weather related, man-made disaster, natural
				disasters or acts of terrorism. The plan shall address the evacuation and
				removal of children to a safe location, sheltering in place if evacuation is
				not feasible, lock-down procedures, plans for continuation of operations,
				communication and reunification with parents, and accommodations for infants
				and toddlers, children with disabilities and children with chronic medical
				conditions, made in consultation with the child's parent(s). The provider and
				all child care staff shall be periodically instructed and kept informed of
				their duties under the plan and shall practice at least quarterly an emergency
				evacuation drill which includes the demonstration of the provider, staff and
				children exiting the residence of the family child care home. A written log of
				the practiced drills shall be maintained at the family child care home for one
				year.
(6) Smoke Detectors
The provider shall have smoke detectors, in operating
				condition, placed in the home so as to protect children's sleeping areas, play
				areas and the basement. There shall be at least one smoke detector on each
				level of the family child care home.
(7) Carbon Monoxide Detector
Family child care homes that utilize combustible fuel shall be
				equipped with at least one operable carbon monoxide (CO) detector on each
				occupied level of the home. CO detectors shall comply with Underwriters
				Laboratories standards for safety, and shall be operated in accordance with the
				manufacturer's instructions.
(8) Fire Extinguisher
(A) The provider shall have easily accessible
			 to the area of child care a minimum of one ABC multi-purpose fire extinguisher
			 in operating condition that contains at least five pounds of fire extinguishing
			 agent and shall have knowledge of its use and the ability to manage its
			 use.
(B) Each fire extinguisher
			 shall be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions, at a height
			 not to exceed five feet above the floor Extinguishers shall not be obstructed
			 or obscured in order to allow for immediate access.
(9) Safe Heating Systems and Devices
(A) The provider shall show documentation
			 that any auxiliary heater installed after original construction of the facility
			 has been inspected and approved for proper and safe installation by an
			 authorized licensed professional and, where applicable, the local building
			 official. All devices shall be safely located, shall be properly cleaned and
			 maintained with a barrier where necessary for the protection of children
			 receiving family child care services.
(B) No heating system or device shall pose a
			 hazard to children.