Effective August 13, 2020 22
coffee pots, or curling irons, neither the appliance nor any cord shall be accessible to preschool-
age children.
(f) Electrical cords shall not be accessible to infants and toddlers. Extension cords, except as
approved by the local fire inspector, shall not be used. Frayed or cracked electrical cords shall be
replaced.
(g) All materials used for starting fires, such as matches, lighters, and accelerants shall be kept
in locked storage.
(h) Children shall be in a smoke free and tobacco free environment. Smoking and the use of any
product containing, made or derived from tobacco, including e-cigarettes, cigars, little cigars,
smokeless tobacco, and hookah, shall not be permitted on the premises of the child care center,
in vehicles used to transport children, or during any off premise activities. All smoking materials
shall be kept in locked storage. For child care centers in an occupied residence that are licensed
for 3 to 12 children when any preschool-age children are in care, or for 3 to 15 children when
only school-age children are in care, the premises shall be smoke free and tobacco free during
operating hours.
(i) Signage regarding the smoking and tobacco restriction shall be posted at each entrance to the
center and in vehicles used to transport children.
(j) The operator shall notify the parent of each child enrolled in the center, in writing, of the
smoking and tobacco restriction.
(k) Fuel burning heaters, fireplaces, and floor furnaces, if applicable, shall be fitted with a
protective screen attached to supports to prevent access by children and to prevent objects from
being thrown into them.
(l) Toxic plants shall be inaccessible to children. A list of toxic plants may be found on the
Division's website at http://ncchildcare.nc.gov/pdf_forms/form16b_bb.pdf.
(m) Air conditioning units shall be located so that they are not accessible to children or shall be
fitted with a mesh guard to prevent objects from being thrown into them.
(n) Gas tanks and gas or charcoal grills shall be inaccessible to children or shall be in a
protective enclosure.
(o) Cribs and playpens shall be placed so that the children occupying them shall not have access
to cords or ropes, such as venetian blind cords.
(p) Once a day, prior to initial use, the indoor and outdoor premises shall be checked for debris,
vandalism, and broken equipment. Debris shall be removed and disposed of.
(q) Plastic bags, toys, toy parts small enough to be swallowed, and materials that can be torn
apart, such as foam rubber and styrofoam, shall not be accessible to children under three years of
age. However, styrofoam plates and larger pieces of foam rubber may be used for supervised art
activities and styrofoam plates may be used for food service. Jump ropes and rubber bands shall
not be accessible to children under five years of age without adult supervision. Balloons shall be
prohibited for children of all ages.
(r) When non-ambulatory children are in care, a crib or other device shall be available for
evacuation in case of fire or other emergency. The crib or other device shall be fitted with wheels
in order to be moveable, have a reinforced bottom, and shall be able to fit through the designated
fire exit. For centers that do not meet NC Building Code for institutional occupancy as described
in 10A NCAC 09 .1301, and have an exit more than eight inches above grade, the center shall
develop a written plan to ensure a safe evacuation of the crib or other device. The operator shall
submit the plan to the Division for review. The Division shall approve the plan and shall require
a demonstration of the center implementing the plan during a drill. During the required fire,
lockdown, or shelter-in-place drills, an evacuation crib or other device shall be used in the