37.95.121    CHILD CARE FACILITIES: SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

(1) Cleaning materials, flammable liquids, detergents, aerosol cans, and other poisonous and toxic materials must be kept in their original containers and in a place inaccessible to children. They must be used in such a way that will not contaminate play surfaces, food, food preparation areas, or constitute a hazard to the children. Bio-contaminants including blood, bodily fluids, and other infectious materials must be properly disposed of.

(2) No extension cord will be used as permanent wiring. All appliances, lamp cords, and exposed light sockets must be suitably protected to prevent electrocution.

(3) Any pet or animal, present at the facility, indoors or outdoors, must be in good health, show no evidence of carrying disease, and be a friendly companion of the children. The provider is responsible for maintaining the animal's vaccinations and vaccination records. These records must be made available to the department upon request. The provider must make reasonable efforts to keep stray animals off the premises.

(4) Guns must be kept in locked storage. Ammunition must be kept in locked storage separate from the gun.

(5) The indoor and outdoor play areas must be clean, reasonably neat, and free from accumulation of dirt, rubbish, or other health hazards.

(6) Any outdoor play area must be maintained free from hazards such as wells, machinery, and animal waste. If any part of the play area is adjacent to a busy roadway, drainage or irrigation ditch, stream, large holes, or other hazardous areas, the play area must be enclosed with a fence in good repair that is at least four feet high without any holes or spaces greater than four inches in diameter or natural barriers to restrict children from these areas.

(a) Outdoor play areas shall be designed so that all parts are always visible and easily supervised by staff.

(7) Toys, play equipment, and any other equipment used by the children must be of substantial construction and free from rough edges, sharp corners, splinters, unguarded ladders on slides, and must be kept in good repair and well maintained.

(8) Toys and objects with a diameter of less than one inch (2.5 centimeters), objects with removable parts that have a diameter of less than one inch (2.5 centimeters), plastic bags, Styrofoam objects, and balloons must not be accessible to children who are still placing objects in their mouths.

(9) Outdoor equipment, such as climbing apparatus, slides, and swings, must be anchored firmly, and placed in a safe location according to manufacturer's instructions. Recommended ground covers under these items include sand, fine gravel, or woodchips with a depth of the ground cover being at least six inches.

(10) Trampolines are prohibited for use by children in care. Trampolines on facility premises must be inaccessible to children in care.

(11) The Emergency Montana Poison Control Center number, 1 (800) 222-1222 must be posted at all telephone locations at the day care facility.

(12) Use of waterbeds, water mattresses, gel pads, or sheepskin covers for children's sleeping surface is prohibited.

(13) In an emergency, all occupants must be able to escape from the facility, whether a home or building, in a safe and timely manner.

(a) All facilities must have two accessible exits on each level. The two exits must be far enough apart from one another to avoid having them both blocked by fire and smoke. Aisle ways and corridors leading to the exits must be kept clear of obstructions.

(b) If the day care provider chooses to lock the facility door to prevent unauthorized access to the facility or to prevent a child from escaping, the facility shall have no lock or fastening device which prevents free escape from the interior.

(c) The locking device must not require a key, a tool, or special knowledge or effort to open the door from the inside.

(d) The locked door must be easily opened with one motion from the inside of the facility.

(e) Installation of locking devices may not prohibit access by parents. A facility may not utilize locking devices in a manner to prevent unannounced access by authorized individuals, including parents. If a lock is used, the provider must make adequate provision to allow authorized persons unannounced access to the facility and must provide authorized personnel including parents with information on how to gain access.

(f) Exit doors, windows, and their opening hardware must be maintained in good repair at all times.

(14) Bathtubs, buckets, and other water receptacles must be emptied immediately after use.

 

History: 52-2-704, 52-2-731, MCA; IMP, 52-2-704, 52-2-723, 52-2-731, 52-2-734, 52-2-735, MCA; NEW, 2000 MAR p. 2415, Eff. 9/8/00; AMD, 2002 MAR p. 2231, Eff. 8/16/02; AMD, 2006 MAR p. 1424, Eff. 6/2/06; AMD, 2018 MAR p. 308, Eff. 2/10/18.