Preparing for Your Home Visits

Child care providers can use this checklist to make sure you’re ready for your home health and safety visit and your home fire safety visit.

Physician’s statement verifying that adults providing care for children are free from tuberculosis.

Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification.

Address is attached to your home and easily seen from the street or parking lot.

Property is free of trash/debris.

Home is structurally sound, with no peeling paint, loose down spouts, or broken walkways.

Steps and stairs are in good repair with hand or guard rails.

Outdoor play area is free of hazards, like: Standing water, animal feces, trash, construction materials, poison ivy, dangerous lawn and garden tools. (Fencing or other barriers might be needed when play area is next to body of water or busy street.)

Rooms for children are dry, with good lighting and ventilation, and kept at least 68 degrees during heating season.

Windows that can be opened are screened (from April 1 through November 1).

Smoke detector installed on each level and tested at least once a month.

Electrical outlets are child-proofed.

Electric cords are out of reach of children. No multi-plug adapters allowed.

Barriers are placed around space heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, and fans when in use. A fireplace must always have a screen or guard.

Flammable or combustible liquids are kept away from heat sources and out of children’s reach.

Materials that burn easily (such as newspaper, wood, cloth, or items made of those substances) are kept at least three feet away from appliances and other heat sources.

Wood stoves have county permit indicating proper installation. Ashes are stored outside in approved containers.

All portable heating appliances are UL or FM approved.

Fire extinguisher rated at least 1A10BC, is mounted and fully pressurized.

Toxic household products, including medicines, are inaccessible to children and stored away from food.

Kitchen appliances are in good working order, with range, oven and hood clean and free of grease.

Dangerous objects, such as knives, are kept out of children’s reach.

Washer, dryer, and dryer vent are kept free of lint.

Electrical panel is easily accessible, free of loose connections and frayed wiring, with no missing fuses. No exposed wiring anywhere in house.

Small appliances (coffeemakers, hair dryers, toasters) are kept unplugged and out of children’s reach.            

Kitchen trash and diapers are kept in separate covered, washable containers.

Fireplaces, heating systems, and duct work in good repair. Fireplaces are never used during child care hours.

Firearms are unloaded and kept apart from ammunition in a locked place.

Rooms are free of dirt, filth, trash, grease; floors and carpets are swept daily.

Outdoor play structures are anchored securely and in good repair.

Equipment is structurally sound and in good condition. Toys and materials are age-appropriate.  

Double-keyed deadbolt locks are unlocked, with key removed.

Exit routes are free of obstructions and are well-lighted.

Home is free of hazards to children, such as loose carpeting, toy chests without safety hinges, and small items that could be swallowed.

Dogs, cats and ferrets have up-to-date rabies immunizations.

Refrigerator kept at no more than 41 degrees Fahrenheit or 5 degrees centigrade, and children’s food brought from home is clearly marked with name and date.

Clean drinking water is available at all times.

Home is free of insect and rodent infestation.

All children are properly immunized with records kept by the provider.

Operating telephone is posted with 911 sticker and emergency telephone numbers.

Fire drill plan, escape route, written emergency plans and supplies.

Wells and septic system are approved by the county.