1. The home, furnishings, bedding and linens (used by the foster child), drapery, blinds, paint, wallpaper, carpet, flooring and appliances must clean and in good repair at all times. This is the broadest regulation and can be interpreted liberally. It allows the state to be broad in their interpretation of the regulations and, consequently, the Agency maintains high standards.
  2. All windows and doors are required to have screens if those windows and doors are designated for ventilation. Doors not used for ventilation and windows that do not open do not need screens. All screens must be clean and in good repair.
  3. Fireplaces and heaters must be protected with a screen that prevents the child from falling into or coming into contact with any hot surface, such as glass, metal, or the fire itself. This may require a fireplace screen even if the fireplace has glass doors or a hanging screen. Certain wall heaters may need a screen.
  4. If furnishings and other items are needed from the "Basic Services List" (items which are required to be in the home for the foster child), please purchase them prior to the final home inspection.
  5. Educational, recreational and other materials and equipment that are purchased for the foster child must be age-appropriate for the foster child that is placed with you.
  6. Most likely, all of the cleaning solutions and chemicals used in and around the home will need to be placed out-of-reach of a foster child. You may use a high cabinet or lower cabinet with safety locks. Caustic, poisonous and corrosive cleaning solutions and chemicals (such as Drano, oven cleaner, paint remover) in your home need to be kept locked or out-of-reach of the foster child. No cleaning solutions or poisons can be stored in the same area or cabinet with food.
  7. Poisons can be identified by a picture of a skull and cross bones or the word "poison" on the label. These items must be placed in a locked cabinet, box or storage shed. Gasoline, insecticides, pesticides, oven cleaner, pool chemicals, Drano, lighter fluids, spray paints and solvents are poisonous and/or dangerous and also must be locked. (Ref: Storage 1 and 5)
  8. A current fire extinguisher with a gauge must be located near your kitchen, and not next to your stove. Use an ABC fire extinguisher. We recommend two 2A-10BC fire extinguishers, one downstairs and one upstairs.
  9. A thermometer is needed inside the refrigerator. A refrigerator thermometer can be purchased at a local home supply or department store. The temperature inside the refrigerator must be between 35 and 45 degrees F. Refrigerated and frozen food must be covered or stored in a container.
  10. Exterior door locks cannot be double-key deadbolts, that is, the kind of lock that uses a key on the inside for locking and unlocking. The inside of these locks must be able to be operated by use of a lever or knob, not a key (which may be lost or difficult for a child to operate in an emergency).
  11. All medication must be placed in a locked cabinet or box, and not with any poisons or cleaning supplies. A plastic fishing tackle box, a metal filing box or toolbox will suffice. If you would like to place a lock on a drawer, cabinet or closet, that will be acceptable as well. A small locked box will also be needed for inside the refrigerator for medication that needs to be refrigerated. Be sure to get one that is tall enough so liquid medication can be placed upright. Antiseptic solutions and ointments used in the first aid kit do not have to be locked up but should be out of reach of young children. (Ref: Health Related 4, 5, and 6).
  12. Obtain a first aid kit and have it centrally located in the home. You may purchase one or you may create your own first aid kit as long as all of the required items are inside. Suggestion: use a red plastic tool box or fishing tackle box and write "First Aid" on it. The first aid kit needs to include the following items: a current edition of the approved first aid manual, sterile first aid dressings, bandages or roller bandages, adhesive tape, scissors, tweezers, oral thermometer and antiseptic solution. You may include Band-Aids and additional items that you think would be handy in an emergency.
  13. The foster child's bedroom can only be used as a bedroom and not for any other family use, such as an office, laundry, storage or hobby room. The bedroom cannot be a passageway to another room or to the outside.
  14. All vehicles being used to transport foster children need to be in good working order, regularly serviced and properly insured.
  15. While being transported in a vehicle, each child needs to be in a car seat if the child is under the age of four years old and/or if the child weighs less than 40 pounds. If a child has disabilities that prevent the child from sitting unassisted, the child must be secured in a car seat or harness.
  16. A smoke detector needs to be installed in each bedroom and in the hallway. The smoke detectors must be in good working order. They will be checked every month during the home inspection.
  17. All firearms (handguns, rifles, etc.) need to be located in a locked cabinet or closet. A trigger lock is acceptable or you may remove the firing pin as an acceptable alternative. Ammunition must be locked separately from the firearm in the cabinet or be in a locked area away from the firearm. There are no exceptions.
  18. Hot water from the tap shall be between 105 degrees and 120 degrees. The water temperature will be measured every month during the home inspection. If you live in an apartment where you cannot control the water temperature, or if you prefer to have the water at a higher temperature, you may purchase hot-water safety shut-off valves. These valves stop water flow if 120 degrees is exceeded and cost from $25 to $50 each and can be installed on the sinks, shower or bathtub that the foster child will use.
  19. Gardening, mechanical and construction tools, which may pose a threat to the safety of a child, must be stored in a safe manner and so that the child does not have access to the tools. Electric tools must be stored unplugged. Automatic garage door openers must be equipped with a device or have the feature that the door will open if it closes on an object.
  20. Swimming pools must be fenced with an approved 5-foot fence with a self-latching gate.
  21. All case and financial records for the foster child must be kept up-to-date, in an orderly arrangement and be stored in a secure location.

    There are other requirements for the safety of the home and can be obtained from Legacy Families. We realize that some of the regulations may seem unreasonable, but these are the standards that we must observe in order to bless a foster child. Therefore, we do the best we can.