Page 142

(h) A pet suspected of being ill or infected shall be treated immediately for its condition or removed from the facility. Each pet shall be kept and handled in a manner that protects the safety and well-being of children and the pet. (4) Poisons. (a) Poisons or harmful agents shall be kept locked, stored in the original containers, labeled and inaccessible to children. (b) Poisons or harmful agents shall be purchased in childproof containers, if available. (c) Pesticides shall be of a type applied by a licensed exterminator in a manner approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Pesticides shall be used in strict compliance with label instructions and should not be used while children are present. Pesticide containers shall be prominently and distinctly marked or labeled for easy identification of contents and stored in a secure site accessible only to authorized staff. (5) Other Safety Requirements. (a) Weapons, firearms, or ammunition are not permitted in the facility or on the premises. This does not apply to a guard, law enforcement officer, or member of the armed forces, or student of military science. (b) The facility shall be effectively safeguarded against insects and rodents. (c) Knives, lighters, matches, tobacco products and other items that could be hazardous to children shall not be readily accessible to children. (d) State laws prohibiting minors from smoking shall be enforced. The facility shall assure that children are not exposed to second-hand smoke while at the facility or in the presence of staff. (e) Floors, walls, ceilings, windows, doors and other surfaces shall be free from hazards such as peeling paint, broken or loose parts, loose or torn flooring or carpeting, pinch and crush points, sharp edges, splinters, exposed bolts and openings that could cause head or limb entrapment. C. Sanitation. (1) General Sanitation. (a) Clean and sanitary conditions shall be maintained indoors and outdoors, including indoor and outdoor recreational equipment and furnishings. (b) The facility shall have an annual safety and sanitation inspection. (c) Based on the safety and sanitation inspection, the Agency will decide as to whether or not the facility meets standards of safety and sanitation for child caring purposes. (d) A facility is responsible for any fees or related expenses for the health inspection. (2) Staff Health. (a) Staff persons shall wash their hands with soap and warm running water before preparing or serving food, before assisting a child with eating, after assisting a child with toileting or diapering, before and after toileting, after administering medication, after cleaning, after assisting with wiping noses, after contact with body fluids, after contact with animals, and after using cleaning materials. Hands shall be washed even if gloves are worn to perform these tasks. (3) Food Safety and Preparation. (a) All food shall be properly labeled and stored and shall be protected against contamination. (b) The facility shall provide refrigeration units and insulated facilities, as needed, to ensure that all potentially hazardous foods are maintained at 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below or 130 degrees Fahrenheit or above, except during necessary periods of preparation. (c) Thermometers shall be accurate to plus or minus 3 degrees and conspicuously placed in the warmest area of all cooling and warming units to ensure proper temperatures. (d) Containers of food, food preparation equipment and single service articles shall be stored at least 69 above the floor, on clean surfaces, and in such a manner to be protected from splash and other contamination. (e) Food not subject to further washing or cooking before serving shall be stored in such a manner to be protected against contamination from food requiring washing.