City Council Agenda Packet November 17, 2025

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Child Foster Care Home Safety Checklist – Guidance 3 3. Extension cords are appropriately used and are not used in place of permanent wiring - Extension cords may be used for temporary purposes such as holiday lights. If there are questions, licensors can take pictures and consult with the fire marshal to determine if an inspection is needed. 4. A fire extinguisher is maintained in the home – The fire extinguisher must be a minimum rating of 2A:10BC. The number in front of “A” cannot be lower than “2” and the number in front of “BC” cannot be lower than “10”. National Fire Protection Association provides more information on fire extinguisher ratings. For applicants or license holders who live in an apartment, the fire extinguisher must be located inside the individual apartment. The extinguisher located in the apartment building hallway does not meet this requirement. An annual inspection and retag is required by a professional certified contractor. A certified contractor may be difficult to locate. Searching online will identify private companies that service them mainly for businesses and large buildings. It is advised to call one of these companies or the local fire department to determine if they do annual inspections for residential-grade extinguishers. If unable to find a certified contractor, licensor holders will need to purchase a new fire extinguisher annually. Documentation of monthly inspections is not a requirement; however, the below information provides guidance to license holders on what to look for during a monthly visual inspection: o Extinguishers are in their designated place – this can be near but not in the kitchen, easily reachable, not stashed behind anything, and standing upright. o The expiration date has not passed, and replacement or recharge/service is not needed– • Non-rechargeable extinguishers expire 12 years from the manufacture date stamped on the bottom of the device or sooner if inspection warrants it. • Rechargeable/serviceable extinguishers “expire” and must be serviced and recharged every six years or sooner if inspection warrants it. o Pressure gauge readings are in the proper range or position o Push-to-test pressure indicators on non-rechargeable extinguishers are tested, if applicable o Safety seals are not broken or missing, and the pin is in the handle, if applicable o There is no evidence of physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle. o Operating instructions are legible and face outward 5. All smoke detectors work and are properly installed on all levels of the home – all smoke detectors must be tested, even if they are hardwired together. At a minimum, there must be at least one smoke detector on each level of the home and in hallways outside sleeping rooms. Smoke detectors must be replaced every 10 years. Carbon monoxide detectors are not part of the home safety checklist requirement and not monitored by licensing but will be a requirement if a fire marshal inspection is completed. 6. Interior doors can be unlocked from the outside - all interior doors are checked for locks and the applicant or license holder can demonstrate or explain how they can unlock an interior door from the outside and how they will ensure keys or other hardware needed to unlock the door is always available Page 192 of 379