Rule 5180:2-9-06 | General Safety.
(A) Can a residential facility maintain explosives, firearms, or similar dangerous items on its grounds?
No residential facility shall maintain any explosives, pyrotechnics, firearms, chemical weapons, or other similar device or substance anywhere on the grounds of the facility.
(B) May staff, children, or security personnel carry weapons while on duty or on the grounds of a residential facility?
No residential facility shall permit any staff person, child, or security personnel to bear any firearm, chemical weapon, or other weapon or similar device while such person is anywhere on the grounds of the facility or on duty or engaged in the transportation of a child. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as prohibiting law enforcement authorities from bearing arms when they are present at the residential facility in conjunction with their official responsibilities.
(C) What are the requirements regarding paint conditions in a residential facility?
A residential facility is to be free of peeling or chipping paint. If a potential lead hazard is identified, the Ohio department of children and youth (DCY) is to make a referral to the appropriate agency.
(D) What safety measures are required for elevated structures like porches or patios?
All porches and patios more than thirty-six inches above ground level, elevated walkways, and elevated play areas on the grounds of a residential facility shall be enclosed with barriers designed to prevent falls.
(E) How should workshop or outdoor power-driven equipment be maintained and used?
All workshop or outdoor power-driven equipment used by a residential facility shall be maintained and operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Such equipment may be used by children as permitted by law but only when under the supervision of a staff person.
(F) Is smoking allowed in residential facilities?
Smoking shall not be permitted in the presence of a child. If a residential facility permits smoking, the facility shall allow smoking only in an outdoor designated area. In the designated smoking area there shall be a proper smoking waste receptacle for collection of waste. All employees who engage in smoking shall wash their hands when they reenter the facility. There shall be no smoking in vehicles while transporting children of the facility.
(G) What are the requirements for stairways accessible to children?
All stairways accessible to children within or on the grounds of a residential facility which contain more than four steps shall be equipped with a railing. In addition, any facility which is a residential parenting facility or crisis care facility shall guard all stairways accessible to children with a safety gate.
(H) How should outdoor hazardous areas be managed?
Outdoor areas located on or directly adjacent to a residential facility which are potentially hazardous to residents shall be safeguarded considering the age and functioning level of the residents.
(I) What documentation is required for swimming pools at residential facilities?
Each residential facility must maintain documentation verifying that all swimming pools maintained by the facility comply with the requirements of any local or state codes.
(J) How should pets or domesticated animals be managed?
Pets and other domesticated animals on residential facility premises shall be kept in a safe and sanitary manner in accordance with state and local laws. Pet vaccinations must be kept up to date at all times.
(K) How are children and teenage mothers protected from potentially dangerous animals?
All children or teenage mothers residing at a residential facility shall be protected from animals in or on the premises of the facility which are potentially dangerous to their health and safety.
(L) What are the requirements for door locks in rooms or storage areas?
(1) Any room or storage area within a residential facility where a child could be confined must have at least one door equipped with a lock that can be opened from both sides and unlocked from the inside without a key.
(2) Doors located on the grounds of a residential facility that do not require a lock that can be unlocked from either side of the door are:
(a) A separate entrance to a portion of the residential facility such as a cellar, basement or outside storage room that is not accessible from within the residential facility.
(b) A separate building such as a garage, barn or storage shed on the grounds of a residential facility.
(c) Keys to these type of doors shall be kept in a place accessible only to staff of the facility.
(M) What are the requirements for toilet and shower stall doors?
All doors on toilet stalls and bathtub or shower stalls used by children in a residential facility shall be of the type which permit the door to be unlatched from either side of the door unless the stall design allows emergency access by climbing over or crawling under the partitions.
(N) How must poisonous, toxic, or flammable substances be stored?
(1) Residential facilities that store poisonous, toxic, or flammable substances for any purpose must keep these materials in locked storage areas separate and apart from food and handle them in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction.
(2) Flammable substances are to be stored and vented in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in addition to any instructions of the local or state fire inspector.
(3) All hazardous material are to be properly labeled.
(4) Laundry supplies, except bleach, may be stored in an unlocked storage space separate and apart from food.
(O) What are the requirements for outdoor recreational equipment?
Stationary or portable outdoor recreational equipment such as designated climbing structures, swings and slides shall be anchored or stable. All recreational equipment must be age-appropriate and suited to the child's functional abilities.
(P) What are the surface requirements around recreational equipment?
Outdoor recreational equipment designated for climbing, swinging and sliding must be installed over a protective, resilient surface that meets the following safety standards:
(1) Fall zones shall have a protective resilient material on the ground under and around the equipment.
(2) The material shall be, but not limited to, washed pea gravel, mulch, sand, wood chips, synthetic material such as rubber mats or tiles manufactured for this purpose. Synthetic surfaces shall follow manufacturer's guidelines for depth.
(3) Equipment shall not be placed over grass, concrete, asphalt, blacktop, dirt, rocks, or any hard surface.
(4) Any loose-fill particulate impact absorbing material under and around recreational equipment shall be checked at least monthly for packing, and shall be turned over or raked up to increase the resilience capability.
Last updated August 14, 2026 at 7:47 AM
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