(1) You must maintain your buildings, premises, and equipment in a clean and sanitary condition, free of hazards, and in good repair. You must furnish your facility appropriately, based on the age and activities of the children in your care. You must:

(a) Provide handrails for steps, stairways, and ramps if required by the department;

(b) Have emergency lighting devices available and in operational condition;

(d) Have washable, water-resistant floors in bathrooms, kitchens, and other rooms exposed to moisture. Washable short-pile carpeting may be approved in kitchen areas if kept clean and sanitary;

(e) Provide tamper-proof or tamper-resistant electrical outlets or blank covers installed in areas accessible to children under the age of six or other persons with limited capacity or who might be endangered by access to them; and

(f) Have easy access to rooms occupied by children in case an emergency arises.

(2) You must have adequate indoor and outdoor space, ventilation, toilet and bathing facilities, light, and heat to ensure the health and comfort of all members of the household.

(3) The cleanliness and care of your premises must meet generally accepted health standards for the storage and preparation of food.

(4) You must make reasonable attempts to keep the premises free from pests, such as rodents, flies, cockroaches, fleas, and other insects using the least toxic methods.

(5) People must be able to easily open doors from the inside and outside in all areas of the facility that are occupied, unless the building or structure has a fire sprinkler protection system and was previously approved by the local fire marshal or building official with jurisdiction. This includes closets, bathrooms, and bedrooms. You must also have easy access to the outside in case of an emergency.

(6) Facilities must have nonbreakable light fixture covers or shatter-resistant light bulbs or tubes in food preparation and dining areas. LD will review your facility to determine other areas that may be a concern for the safety of children.

(7) You must have an immediate plan to address hazardous conditions on your property or in your facility. The department may remove children from your care if hazardous conditions are not immediately remedied.

(8) Your facility must be accessible to emergency vehicles and your address must be clearly visible on your facility or mailbox so that first responders can easily find your location.

(9) Your facility must be located on a well-drained site, free from hazardous conditions. You must discuss with your licensor any potential hazardous conditions, considering the children's ages, behaviors, and abilities.

(10) You must have a working landline telephone at all times. Individuals calling your facility must be able to leave a message at all times.

(11) You must post emergency numbers and the physical address of the facility in an easily visible location near the telephone. This must include the Washington state poison control number ( 1-800-222-1222).

(12) Utility rooms with mop sinks that do not have windows opening to the outside must be ventilated with a mechanical exhaust fan to the outside of the building.

(13) The use of window blinds or other window coverings with pull cords capable of forming a loop and posing a risk of strangulation to children are prohibited under RCW 43.216.380.

(14) Infants and toddlers are not allowed to use wheeled baby walkers.

PDFWAC 110-145-1555

What does the department require for my buildings and property?