Ohio Administrative Code|Rule 5101:2-7-12 | Site and safety requirements for a foster home.

                                                
(A) A foster home and all structures on
		  the grounds of the home shall be maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary
		  condition and in a reasonable state of repair. A home shall be a house, mobile
		  home, housing unit or apartment occupied by an individual or a
		  family.
(1) A home is to be free
			 of peeling or chipping paint.
(2) If a potential lead
			 hazard is identified, the recommending agency is to make a referral to the
			 appropriate agency.
(B) Swimming pools.
(1)  Are to have a
			 barrier on all sides.
(2)  Are to have their
			 method of access through the barrier equipped with a safety device, such as a
			 bolt lock.
(3)  Are to be equipped
			 with a life saving device, such as a ring buoy.
(4)  If the swimming pool
			 cannot be emptied after each use, the pool is to have a working pump and
			 filtering system.
(C) Hot tubs and spas are to have safety
		  covers that are locked when not in use.
(D) Outdoor recreation equipment on the grounds of a foster
		  home shall be maintained in a safe state of repair.
(E) Outdoor areas on the grounds of or immediately adjacent
		  to a foster home which are potentially hazardous to a foster child placed in
		  the home shall be reasonably safeguarded, considering the age and functioning
		  level of the foster child. Such areas include, but are not limited
		  to:
(1) Water areas,
			 including lakes, ponds, rivers, quarries and swimming pools.
(2) Open pits and
			 wells.
(3) Cliffs and
			 caves.
(4) High-speed or heavily
			 traveled roads.
(F) A foster home shall be adequately heated, lighted and
		  ventilated.
(G)  The following are to be stored in a safe manner that
		  prevents the child's access, as appropriate for his or her age and
		  development:
(1) Bleach.
(2) Cleaning
			 materials.
(3) Poisonous or
			 corrosive household chemicals.
(4) Flammable and
			 combustible materials.
(5) Potentially dangerous
			 tools or utensils.
(6) Electrical equipment
			 in or on the grounds of a foster home.
(7) Machinery in or on
			 the grounds of a foster home.
(8) Alcoholic
			 beverages.
(H) A foster home shall comply with the following
		  requirements regarding weapons:
(1) The following weapons
			 kept on the grounds of or in a foster home shall be stored in an inoperative
			 condition in a locked area inaccessible to children:
(a) Firearms.
(b) Air rifles.
(c) Hunting slingshots.
(d) Any other projectile weapon.
(2) All ammunition,
			 arrows or projectiles for such weapons shall be stored in a separate locked
			 space.
(3) Any foster caregiver
			 who is also a law enforcement official and can document that their jurisdiction
			 requires them to have ready and immediate access to their weapon shall be
			 exempt from the requirements of this paragraph.
(I) A foster home shall have a working telephone or be able
		  to demonstrate to the recommending agency reasonable access to a working
		  telephone for emergency situations.
(J) Appropriate emergency telephone numbers including fire,
		  police, ambulance, poison control, the recommending agency, and each agency
		  with a foster child placed in the home shall be posted in a prominent place in
		  a foster home.
(K) All locks to at least one door to any room or walk in
		  storage area inside a foster home in which a person could become confined shall
		  be of the type which permit the door to be unlocked from either side of the
		  door and be unlocked from the inside of the room or storage area without a key.
		  Locking of the children's bedroom doors while children are sleeping is
		  prohibited. Locking of outside doors and fencing around a yard or outside play
		  area is permitted.
(L) A foster home shall have a continuous supply of safe
		  drinking water. Well water used for drinking and cooking shall be tested and
		  approved by the health department prior to initial certification and annually
		  thereafter.
(M) A foster home shall have working bathroom and toilet
		  facilities located within the home and connected to an indoor plumbing
		  system.
(N) A foster home is to ensure proper
		  water heater temperature not to exceed one hundred-twenty degrees
		  fahrenheit.
(O) Garbage shall be disposed of on a regular basis.
		  Garbage stored outside shall be in covered containers or closed
		  bags.
(P) A foster home shall have a working smoke alarm on each
		  level of occupancy and at least one near all sleeping areas of the home
		  approved by one of the following:
(1) "Underwriter's Laboratory."
(2) A certified fire
			 inspector.
(Q) A foster home is to have at least one carbon monoxide
		  detector on each level of occupancy of the home and at least one near all
		  sleeping areas.
(R) A foster home is to maintain first aid
		  supplies.
(S) A foster caregiver shall have a written evacuation plan
		  for evacuating the home or seeking shelter in the event of fire, tornado or
		  other disaster. This evacuation plan shall contain a primary and alternate
		  escape route for each floor. A foster caregiver shall provide initial
		  orientation and ongoing instruction on the contents of this plan to each foster
		  child in accordance with the foster child's age and functioning
		  level.
(T) All escape routes shall be kept free of clutter and
		  other obstructions.
(U) Household heating equipment used in a foster home shall
		  be equipped with appropriate safeguards in accordance with the age and
		  functioning level of any foster child in the home.
(V) Heaters.
(1) Unvented heaters that
			 burn kerosene or oil shall not be used. 
(2) All heaters shall be
			 approved by "Underwriter's Laboratory" or a certified fire
			 inspector.
(3) All heaters shall not
			 be prohibited by any local zoning ordinances.
(W) A foster home shall have a portable fire extinguisher
		  in working order in or near the cooking area of the home. The fire extinguisher
		  shall be approved by one of the following:
(1) "Underwriter's Laboratory."
(2) A certified fire
			 inspector.
(X) A foster home is to be free from
		  rodents and insect infestation.
(Y) Pets or domestic animals in or on the premises of a
		  foster home shall be kept in a safe and sanitary manner in accordance with
		  state and local laws.
(Z) A foster child shall be protected from animals
		  potentially dangerous to the child's health and safety in or on the
		  premises of a foster home.
(AA) Interior and exterior stairways accessible to children
		  shall be protected by child safety gates or doors according to the child's
		  age and functioning level.
(BB) A foster home shall provide a smoke free environment
		  for foster children.
(1) No smoking shall be
			 permitted in the living area of a foster home or in a vehicle used to transport
			 a foster child.
(2) No smoking is
			 permitted in the presence of a foster child.
(CC) All prescription drugs in a foster home shall be stored
		  in a locked cabinet or storage area except that an inhaler or other medication
		  may be left unlocked if a person has a special health condition that requires
		  the inhaler or medication to be immediately available.