Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › Chapter 32 - CHILD CARE FACILITY LICENSING RULE - CHILD CARE CENTERS, NURSERY SCHOOLS, SMALL CHILD CARE FACILITIES, OTHER PROGRAMS › Section 148-32-14 - ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
General
				condition of the building and surrounding premises
. The facility must
				take immediate steps to correct any condition in the physical building or on
				the premises, which poses a danger to Children's life, health or safety.
1. Stairs used by Children must be equipped
				with solidly mounted handrails.
2.
				Stairs must be enclosed by walls or railings. Stairs in areas used by infants,
				toddlers and preschool age Children must be protected by a gate or door.
3. Electrical outlets in areas
				used by infants, toddlers and preschool Children must be protected by safety
				caps, plugs, tamper-resistant outlets, or other means.
4. Any Medications, Toxic Substances,
				Hazardous Materials, and other items dangerous to Children such as matches,
				lighters, fireworks, and power tools must be kept where Children cannot access
				them.
5. Smoking is prohibited on
				the premises when Children are present.
6. Strings and cords long enough to encircle
				a Child's neck (six inches or more) must not be accessible to Children unless
				the Child is engaged in a recreational or educational activity with an
				adult.
7. Equipment with an
				electrical cord must be anchored to the wall to prevent falling, or the cord
				must be inaccessible to Children under five years of age.
8. The Child Care Facility must have a phone
				in working condition on the premises.
9. A facility may lock the main entrance to
				prevent access from the exterior, provided that the door can be freely opened
				from the interior and there is a means to inform Child Care Staff Members of
				the arrival of parents/guardians or other visitors.
10. Toys and equipment must be kept clean and
				in safe working order.
11. The fall
				zone under and around all indoor play equipment which would buffer a fall from
				a height of more than 29 inches must be covered with shock-absorbing mats or
				materials which extend at least 39 inches beyond the outside edge of the
				equipment in all directions. If the play structure exceeds 48 inches in height,
				the shock absorbing mat must be at least two inches thick.
12. Furnishings, other heavy items, and/or
				items that could easily tip over or are unstable must be secured to the wall or
				floor.
13. The Child Care Facility
				must Clean surfaces daily in all areas where Children are present. Cleaning
				products must not be used in close proximity to Children and adequate
				ventilation must be maintained during use.
14. Children are not allowed to be near power
				equipment while it is being operated and power equipment must be stored out of
				reach or have safeguards to prevent any Child from being injured when not in
				use.
15. Staff purses, bags,
				Medications and other belongings must be inaccessible to Children.
16. All entrances and exits must be clear for
				evacuation at all times.
17. Child
				Care Facilities must empty trash, recycling, and compost containers and remove
				the contents from Child care space when the containers are filled, or sooner if
				contents create an odor or a health risk.