Check, Check, Check!

We are on our last few steps of the process: fire inspection, health inspections, health status forms turned in and home study (followed by “Dear Expectant Mother” letter and our profile book).  Hopefully after those are done and approved, we will officially be a “Waiting Family”!!  I look back at it all and the first year was long and hard since it seemed hopeless.  However, once we got in a program, time has just been flying by!!  We have learned a lot even in the small time we have been at it – patience, trust, grace, etc…  Here is our currently “to-do” list to get ready for these inspections, which will hopefully get done by the end of May!

 

Fire Inspection – not yet scheduled

• At least 2 functional smoke detectors  – located in halls, outside each bedroom and at least one on each level of the home
• No overloaded outlets
• Carbon monoxide detector (due to the gas fireplace)
• No flammable liquids stored near a heat source
• Portable/space heaters have covers
• Screened fireplace
• At least two unlocked exits to the outside from the home
• Electrical wiring system appears in good repair
• Electrical outlets have child-proof covers or are safety outlets
• Fuses/circuit breakers in fuse box appear in good operating condition
• Cords for electrical appliances and lighting fixtures appear in good operating condition
• Extension cords are stored properly
• Gas appliances (heaters, stoves, water heaters) have metal tubing and metal connections
• Central heating system is periodically inspected by qualified inspector
• Combustibles are stored or placed well away from any stove, heater or fireplace
• All lighters and matched are kept out of the reach of children
• Flammable liquids are stored in safety cans and kept away from heat and children
• Paint is kept is tightly closed, metal containers
• The premises are free of rubbish - especially the attic, garage and basement
• Trash is burned in an area away from the children
• There is an operable 5-pound dry chemical fire extinguisher available for use in the kitchen
• Fire extinguisher is serviced after each use and checked for proper weight at least one time each year
• Family has an evacuation plan for emergencies
• Fire drills are practiced regularly
• There is a method available to alert family to a fire (alarm, bell, etc.)

Environmental Health Inspection – not yet scheduled

• Home and grounds are kept clean and free of hazards to children
• Kitchen and all food preparation, storage, and serving areas are kept clean
• Perishable food is refrigerated or safely stored in other ways
• Home has an adequate supply of water that meets the standards for drinking water of the Texas Department of Health
• Home has an adequate, safe sewage disposal system
• Plumbing appears to be in good working condition
• Home has hot and cold running water
• There is at least one toilet, lavatory, and bathtub/shower inside the home
• Bathtubs are kept clean
• Soap and toilet paper are available in the bathrooms at all times
• Each child has a clean towel available, or paper towels are available
• Garbage is removed at least one time per week
• Garbage is kept in metal or plastic containers with tight fitting lids in an area away from children
• The home is kept free from insects, mice and rats
• The yard is kept free from garbage and trash
• The house is adequately ventilated and free from bad odors
• Windows and outside doors kept open for ventilation are screened
• Cleaning supplies, insect spray, medicines, and other materials that can harm young children are kept where children under the age of 8, and children for whom these items might present an unusual danger, cannot reach them
• Electric fans are securely mounted where children under the age of 8, or children whom these items might present an unusual danger, cannot reach them, or have guards which keep children from touching the blades
• Outdoor steps are not slippery
• Porches, railings, playhouses, and other wooden structures do not have splinters
• Indoor floors and steps are not slippery, and are kept dry when children are using them
• Indoor wood surfaces and objects do not have splinters
• Glass doors are marked at the child’s eye level to prevent accidents
• Home is clean and well maintained
• Fence around swimming pool
• Proximity of home to lake or other waterways?
• Fenced play yard
• Yard is free of hazards to children
• Yard must drain – no standing water
• Firearms must be stored separate from ammunition – both is locked containers
• Premise must be free of debris
• All chemicals out of the reach of children

 

Health Status Forms – filled out by doctor, not yet scheduled

• Medical history
• Physical
• Drug screen
• TB test
• Hepatitis B immunization

Home Study – schedule after fire and health inspections pass and health status forms done

• All mattresses for children have plastic cover/protector
• Infant cribs meet proper safety requirements
• Crib bumpers, soft bedding/comforters, stuffed animals and pillows are not used in crib
• Adequate and accessible personal storage space for each child
• Each child has a towel and there is adequate soap/hygiene items available for use
• All food items stored off the floor
• Food is stored appropriately – plastic wrap and foil are not used to seal food containers
• Thermometer temperature in refrigerator is at 37 and freezer is at 0 degrees
• Cleaning supplies are stored separately from food and out of the reach of children – if stored anywhere else, they must be behind a lock
• Baby gates are used for stairways and fire place
• All windows have screens
• Tobacco products are used outside
• An emergency kit (water, change of clothes, battery powered radio, sanitary wipes, blanket and non-perishable food) is readily accessible, and includes at least 2 working flashlights with batteries
• At least one fire extinguisher on each level of the home
• Fire inspection and environmental inspection are posted
• All medication is locked behind at least one lock, including refrigerated medication
• All psychotropic medications are locked behind two locks
• All outdoor areas appear safe and clean
• Pool area is enclosed by a 4’ locked fence – at least 2 life-saving devices are accessible
• Vehicles used for transporting children are in good repair
• All child safety car seats meet requirements and are installed safely
• Tools and lawn equipment kept out of reach of children or in locked sheds
• Thermometers in refrigerator and freezer
• No trampolines

It is a fairly daunting list to be done in about a month - so if we seem stressed, you now know why!  Please keep us in your prayers as we work through this together and keep our sanity and our jobs!