Rule 5101:2-14-05 | Safe and sanitary requirements for in-home aides.
(A) What are the safe and sanitary environment and equipment requirements for an in-home aide (IHA)?
(1) The IHA is to provide a safe and healthy environment in the home when children are present.
(2) The home is to be free of peeling or chipping paint. If a potential lead hazard is identified, the IHA is to notify the local health department and the county agency by the next business day.
(3) Cleaning and sanitizing equipment and supplies are to be stored in a space that is inaccessible to children. Cleaning agents, aerosol cans and all other chemical substances are to be stored in a designated area in their original containers and/or clearly labeled.
(4) Accumulated trash and garbage are to be stored outside of the indoor or outdoor play area and not accessible to the children.
(5) Toilets are to be flushed after each use.
(6) All weapons, including loaded and unloaded firearms and ammunition are to be stored in a secure, safe, locked environment inaccessible to children while in the care of the IHA at the home. Weapons and firearms include air rifles, hunting slingshots and any other projectile weapon.
(7) All alcohol, drugs, and household and child medications are to be kept out of the reach of children while in the care of the IHA at the home.
(8) Toys or other materials small enough to be swallowed are to be kept out of the reach of infants and toddlers.
(9) Electrical outlets, including surge protectors, within the reach of children are to have child proof receptacle covers when not in use unless designed with safety guards. This requirement does not apply if the child's home serves only school-age children.
(10) There is to be at least one underwriters laboratories (UL) or factory mutual laboratories (FM) smoke detector located in the basement and on each level of the home. The smoke detectors are to be placed, installed, tested and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.
(11) There is to be at least one UL or FM portable fire extinguisher in the home which is to have a minimum rating of 1A:10BC. If there is only one UL or FM portable fire extinguisher in the home it is to be located in the kitchen of the home.
(12) The home is to have both hot and cold running water. The temperature of the hot water is not to exceed one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit unless the IHA demonstrates that the hot water faucet can be made inaccessible or inoperable to the children in care.
(B) What are the handwashing requirements for a certified IHA ?
(1) The IHA and the children in care are to comply with the following handwashing requirements:
(a) Handwashing is to occur in a handwashing sink.
(b) If the handwashing sink is not of suitable height for use by children, a sturdy, nonslip platform on which the children may stand is to be provided.
(c) Handwashing is detailed in appendix A to this rule.
(C) What are the communicable disease requirements for a certified IHA?
(1) If the IHA cares for sick children, the IHA is to follow the guidelines detailed in appendix B to this rule.
(2) The JFS 08087 "Communicable Disease Chart" is to be readily available to the IHA, parents and residents.
(a) The IHA is to follow the reporting requirements listed on the JFS 08087.
(b) If the communicable disease is to be reported to the local health department, the IHA is to report the communicable disease in the Ohio child licensing and quality system (OCLQS) by logging into https://oclqs.force.com by the next business day pursuant to rule 5101:2-14-07 of the Administrative Code.
(D) What are the first aid requirements for a certified IHA?
(1) An unlocked, closed first-aid container is to be on premises and readily available to the IHA, but is to be kept out of reach of children.
(2) The first-aid container is to contain all of the items listed in appendix C to this rule.
(E) What are the specific procedures the IHA needs to follow for standard precautions?
(1) Blood spills are to be treated cautiously and decontaminated promptly. Disposable vinyl gloves are to be worn during contact with blood or bodily fluids which contain blood, such as vomit or feces in which blood can be seen.
(2) Surfaces contaminated with blood or bodily fluids containing blood are to be first cleaned with hot, soapy water and then sanitized with an appropriate bleach solution which is prepared on a daily basis, according to product guidelines or other acceptable disinfectant solution which is environmental protection agency (EPA) rated as hospital disinfectant with a label claim for mycobactericidal activity.
(3) Materials that contain blood are to be disposed in a sealable, leak-proof plastic bag or double bagged in plastic bags that are securely tied.
(4) Non-disposable items, such as clothing that contain blood, are to be placed in a sealable, leak proof plastic bag or double bagged in plastic bags that are securely tied.
(5) Sharp items used for procedures on children with special care needs, such as lancets for finger sticks or syringes, require a disposable container called a "sharps container." This is a container made of durable, rigid material which safely stores the lancets or needles until they are disposed of properly. Sharps containers are to be stored out of the reach of children.
(F) Are on-site pools allowed to be used at a child's home?
(1) If the child's home has a swimming pool located on the premises, the pool is to be made inaccessible to children who are in care by a fence or other physical barrier (the locked house door is not a sufficient barrier) that prevents children from accessing the water. A pool is to meet at least one of the following barrier options:
(a) For in-ground or at ground level pool:
(i) A barrier that prevents a child from going around, under or through to access the pool water and the means of access to the pool (i.e. ladder, gate to deck) is secured, locked or removed to prevent access to pool water.
(ii) A fence that is at least four feet tall that separates the pool from the play area.
(iii) A secure cover that meets the following standards:
(a) Inhibits access to the pool water.
(b) Demonstrates an opening is sufficiently small and strong enough to prevent an infant from passing through.
(c) Is able to hold a weight of at least four hundred eighty-five pounds.
(d) Has manufacture safety label attached.
(e) Prevents water collecting on the cover surface.
(b) For an above ground or above ground level pool:
(i) A minimum of four feet walls (four feet above ground level) that are non-climbable and non-inflatable and the means of access to the pool (i.e. ladder, gate to deck) is secured, locked or removed to prevent access to pool water.
(ii) A fence that is at least four feet tall that separates the pool from the play area.
(iii) A secure cover that meets the following standards:
(a) Inhibits access to the pool water.
(b) Demonstrates an opening is sufficiently small and strong enough to prevent an infant from passing through.
(c) Is able to hold a weight of at least four hundred eighty-five pounds.
(d) Has manufacture safety label attached.
(e) Prevents water collecting on the cover surface.
(2) The IHA is not to permit use of the pool by children in care.
(G) What are the requirements for swimming sites for the IHA and children in care?
(1) An approved off-site swimming site is to meet all state and local guidelines for environmental health inspections. Activities in bodies of water and more than eighteen inches in depth are to be supervised by people who are currently certified lifeguards or water safety instructors by the "American Red Cross" or an equivalent water safety program, as determined by ODJFS.
(2) Pursuant to rule 5101:2-14-08 of the Administrative Code, the IHA is to actively supervise children and is to be able to clearly see all parts of the swimming area, including the bottom of the pool. The provider is not to serve as a life guard.
(3) The use of saunas, hot tubs and spas by children is prohibited and are to be inaccessible to them.
(4) Swimming in lakes, rivers, ponds, creeks or other similar bodies of water is prohibited.
(5) Wading pools less than eighteen inches in wall height are permitted regardless of the amount of water put into it.
(a) Wading pools are to be filtered or emptied daily, and portable wading pools are to be disinfected daily or more often if needed.
(b) The IHA is to supervise children at all times while a wading pool is in use and is to be able to clearly see all parts of the wading area.
(H) What are the requirements for parental permission for water and swimming activities?
(1) The IHA is to have written permission from the parent when water is directly accessible to children and for the following activities:
(a) Before the child swims or plays in water eighteen inches or more in depth.
(b) Before the child participates in activities, in or on water eighteen inches or more in depth.
(c) Before infants and toddlers use wading pools.
(2) Written parental permission is to be on file for one year at the home. Written permission for on-going activities such as wading pools is to be updated annually.
(I) What is to be included in the written parental permission?
(1) Child's name and date of birth.
(2) Statement indicating whether the child is a non-swimmer or capable of swimming.
(3) Location of the water activities or swimming site by water of eighteen or more inches in depth.
(4) A signature and date from the parent indicating permission for the activity.
(J) What are the regulations for pets in the child's home?
(1) Pets and animals are to be permitted if they present no apparent threat to the safety or health of the children.
(2) All pets are to be properly housed, cared for, licensed and inoculated. All local and state ordinances governing the keeping of animals (exotic or domesticated) are to be followed and updated as required. Verification of license and compliance with local and state requirements and inoculations, for each pet requiring such license or inoculations, or regulated by local or state government is to be on file at the child's home.
(3) The IHA is not permitted to bring their own pet or animal to the child's home.
Last updated November 13, 2023 at 8:21 AM
Supplemental Information
Amplifies: 5104.019
Five Year Review Date: 10/29/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 4/1/1982, 5/20/1983, 10/1/1983, 9/1/1986, 2/15/1988, 5/1/1989, 7/1/1995, 3/15/1996, 10/15/1996, 10/1/1997 (Emer.), 12/30/1997, 1/1/2001, 4/1/2003, 8/14/2008, 8/3/2013, 1/1/2014, 12/31/2016, 10/29/2021