441—113.7 (237) Safety.
	 113.7(1) Fire protection for bedrooms. Any floor of a house, including the basement, used for the sleeping of foster children shall be equipped with the following:
	  a.   	 A working smoke detector approved by the Underwriters Laboratory.
	  b.   	 A window exit that meets all of the following criteria:
	 (1) 	 The window opens from the inside and is large enough to allow the foster child to pass easily through it. The window shall have an opening height of at least 24 inches, a width of at least 20 inches, and a finished sill height of not more than 44 inches above the floor.
	 (2) 	 Provisions are made to ensure that the foster child can easily reach, open, and climb through the window.
	 (3) 	 Provisions are made to ensure that the foster child can safely reach the ground from the window.
	 (4) 	 The foster child is aware of the window exit and how to use it.
	  c.   	 Hallways that allow unrestricted access to an exit.
	  d.   	 A working carbon monoxide detector.
	 113.7(2) Combustion hazards.
	  a.   	 Combustible materials shall be kept away from furnaces, stoves, space heaters, and water heaters.
	  b.   	 Explosives and flammable substances shall be stored securely and be inaccessible to a child.
	  c.   	 The home shall have at least one operable 2A-10BC-rated or ABC-rated fire extinguisher.
	 113.7(3) Safety plan. The family shall have a safety plan to be used in case of fire, tornado, blizzard, flood, other natural or manmade disasters, accidents, medical issues, and other life-threatening situations for children in out-of-home placements.
	  a.   	 Safety plans for fire and tornadoes shall be documented and reviewed with foster children at the time of placement and practiced with the foster children throughout the year.
	  b.   	 In the case of a disaster requiring evacuation of the home, the foster parents shall notify the department of the address and telephone number of the parents' temporary residence within 48 hours.
	 113.7(4) Medications and poisonous substances. All prescription medications and poisonous substances shall be kept in a locked storage container out of the reach of children.
	  a.   	 All prescription medication shall be administered as prescribed and documented in a prescription medication log.
	  b.   	 All over-the-counter medications shall be administered according to label directions or as directed by a physician.
	 113.7(5) Weapons. All weapons, firearms, and ammunition shall be inaccessible to a child of any age.
	  a.   	 Weapons and firearms shall be maintained in a locked place, such as a gun case.
	  b.   	 Ammunition shall be maintained in a locked place separate from the firearms.
	  c.   	 Any motor vehicles used to transport foster children shall not contain a loaded gun, and any ammunition in the vehicle shall be kept in a separate, locked container.
	  d.   	 Foster parents who have a permit to carry a firearm shall sign Form 470-4657, Firearms Safety Plan.
	 113.7(6) Transporting foster children.
	  a.   	 Foster parents shall have a valid Iowa driver’s license and adequate motor vehicle insurance when the foster parents transport foster children in a motor vehicle.
	  b.   	 Foster parents shall ensure that appropriate child safety restraints, as required by Iowa law, are used for all foster children when the foster parents transport the children in a motor vehicle.
	  c.   	 Any motor vehicles used to transport foster children shall be smoke-free when foster children are being transported.
	 113.7(7) Supervision. The foster parents shall provide reasonable supervision of foster children to ensure their safety.
	  a.   	 Foster parents shall monitor foster children while the children are using hazardous items. All dangerous objects or equipment, including but not limited to trampolines, motorized vehicles, and power tools, shall be inaccessible to a child unless:
	 (1) 	 There is reasonable supervision by the foster parent, and
	 (2) 	 Permission has been obtained from the parent or guardian for the foster child to use the equipment or vehicle.
	  b.   	 Foster parents shall monitor foster children while they are using the Internet.
	 113.7(8) Household pets. Household pets and any outdoor animals or pets accessible to foster children shall have a current veterinary health certificate verifying that the animal has had routine vaccinations that are required by local ordinance.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.3.
[ARC 8010B, IAB 7/29/09, effective 10/1/09]