1. A. A provider shall store all potentially harmful items, including but not limited to the items described in §§B—F of this regulation, in locations which are inaccessible to children in care.
2. B. Petroleum and flammable products shall be stored in an approved manner.
3. C. Cleaning and sanitizing agents and poisonous products shall be stored apart from food and beverages.
4. D. Containers of poisonous products may not be kept on the premises unless they are labeled clearly as to nature, content, and approved purposes.

5. E. A pesticide may be used only if it is:

   1. (1) Approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
   2. (2) Used according to the manufacturer's instructions;
   3. (3) Used only when children are not in care; and
   4. (4) Stored apart from food, beverages, and cleaning agents.
6. F. Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cannabis edibles, and smoking and vaping paraphernalia and byproducts shall be stored in an approved manner.

7. G. If a firearm is maintained in the child care home, the firearm shall be kept:

   1. (1) In a location not used by children in care; and
   2. (2) Unloaded and partially disassembled in a locked container with ammunition stored in its own separate locked container.

8. H. Whenever a child younger than 5 years old is in care, the provider shall ensure that:

   1. (1) All electrical sockets within reach of the child are plugged or capped as required by the applicable fire code;
   2. (2) Suitable protective barriers are placed at locations accessible and potentially hazardous to the child; and
   3. (3) Child-proof devices are placed on cabinets and drawers that contain items potentially hazardous to the child.

9. I. Window Coverings. A window covering installed:

   1. (1) Before October 1, 2010, shall not have unsecured cords, beads, ropes, or strings that are accessible to a child in care; or
   2. (2) On or after October 1, 2010, shall be cordless.

Authority: Education Article, §§9.5-301—9.5-308, 9.5-310—9.5-312, 9.5-320, and 9.5-321; General Provisions Article, §4-333; Human Services Article, §1-202; Annotated Code of Maryland
Agency Note: Federal Statutory Reference — Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.);
Pro-Children Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. §6081 et seq.);
Child Care Development Block Grant (45 CFR Parts 98 and 99 and 42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.);
Social Security Act §418 (42 U.S.C. 618)

Effective date: February 6, 2012 (39:2 Md. R. 142)

Regulation .01A, B amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 17)

Regulation .04 amended as an emergency provision effective August 31, 2023 (50:20 Md. R. 885); amended permanently effective February 5, 2024 (51:2 Md. R. 76)

Regulation .05 amended effective April 29, 2024 (51:8 Md. R. 367)