Section 441.113.7. 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 in a location where sleeping areas can be alerted. For hearing-impaired children, the foster parent shall install a smoke detector in the child’s bedroom that will use an alternative means of waking the child.

            b.                Hallways and stairways free of debris and clutter to allow unrestricted access to an exit.

            c.                A working carbon monoxide detector in all homes with:

             (1)              Gas appliances, furnaces, fireplaces, or other gas equipment; and

             (2)              Attached garages.

         113.7(2) Combustion hazards.

            a.                Combustible materials shall be kept away from heat sources, including but not limited to furnaces, stoves, electrical panels, space heaters, and hot water heaters.

            b.                Explosives and flammable substances shall be stored securely and be inaccessible to a child. Matches and lighters shall 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 an emergency 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.

            c.                The plans shall include a designated meeting place.

         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 reasonably supervise foster children while the children are using any hazardous or dangerous objects or equipment. In order for foster children to participate in age- or developmentally appropriate activities, the foster parent would apply the reasonable and prudent parent standard.

            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.

         113.7(9) Liability. Foster parents who apply the reasonable and prudent parent standard reasonably and in good faith in regard to a foster child placed in their home shall have immunity from civil or criminal liability which might otherwise be incurred or imposed. This subrule shall not remove or limit any existing liability protection afforded under any other law.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.3.

[ ARC 8010B , IAB 7/29/09, effective 10/1/09;    ARC 0357C , IAB 10/3/12, effective 12/1/12;    ARC 2743C , IAB 10/12/16, effective 12/1/16]