S.C. Code Regs. § § 114-535

Current through Register Vol. 48, 12, December 27, 2024

Section 114-535 - Physical Site

A. Indoor Space

(1) Home structure

(a) Floors, walls and ceilings shall be kept clean, in good repair and free from hazards.

(b) All rooms shall be adequately lighted and ventilated. Lights and ventilation systems shall comply with the local and/or state building codes.

(c) There shall be areas protected from general walkways within the family child care home where crawling children can be on the floor to explore.

(d) Interior stairs that are not enclosed shall have a barrier to prevent falls and shall have a nonskid surface.

(e) Electrical outlets shall be covered with a child proof cover, safety plug, or other safety barrier to prevent electrical shock when not in use.

(2) Furniture, toys, and recreational equipment shall meet the following requirements:

(a) Furnishings and toys shall be of safe construction, free from sharp edges and loose or rusty points.

(b) Playpens and Pack n' Plays are not permitted.

(c) Mobile walkers are not permitted.

(d) No toys accessible to infants and toddlers shall be small enough to swallow.

(e) Products recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission shall not be accessible to children.

(3) Animals are permitted as long as they do not pose an apparent threat to the health of the children, are cleaned, are housed properly, are fed, and have the required vaccinations.

(a) Children and caregivers shall wash their hands thoroughly after contact with animals.

(b) Animal litter and waste shall not be accessible to children.

(c) Reptiles, amphibians, and rodents shall not be accessible to children.

B. Non-Infant Sleeping and Resting

(1) Individual, comfortable and sanitary equipment for sleeping and resting shall be provided.

(2) Beds, cots and mats shall be made of easily cleanable material.

(3) Placement of beds, cots, or mats shall allow caregivers to have ready access to each individual child.

C. Outdoor Space

(1) Outside space shall be free from hazards and litter.

(2) Outside space shall be restricted by fence or barrier if near unsafe areas such as traffic, parking areas, ditches, body of water, or steep slope.

(3) Access to swimming pools and wading pools shall be controlled by a device or method that promotes safety of children, including a latch, lock, protective fence, protective cover, or other device or method which enhances child safety.

(4) Outside stairs, walkways, ramps, and porches used by the children shall be maintained free from accumulations of water, ice, or snow.

(5) Decals shall be applied to all glass or sliding patio doors and placed at eye level of the children being cared for in the family child care home.

(6) Outside play equipment shall be clean, in good repair, and free from hazards.

(7) A properly fitting bicycle helmet shall be worn by each child when riding a bicycle, skateboard, roller skate blades or skates.

D. Environmental Hazards

(1) Safety barriers shall be placed around all heating and cooling sources, such as hot water pipes, fireplaces, fixed space heaters, wood and coal-burning stoves, hot water heaters, and radiators that are accessible to children to prevent accidents or injuries upon contact by the child.

(2) Knives, lighters, matches, projectile toys, tobacco products, microwave ovens and other items that could be hazardous to children shall not be accessible to children.

(3) Poisons and harmful agents shall be kept locked, labeled, stored in original containers, and not accessible to children.

(4) All cleaning supplies, detergents, and other potentially poisonous items shall be stored away from food items and shall not be accessible to children.

(5) Firearms, weapons, and ammunition shall be kept in a locked drawer or cabinet and shall not be kept in a room where children are cared for in the family child care home.

S.C. Code Regs. § 114-535

Added by State Register Volume 48, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/24/2024.