Preparing for Home Study

Blsd4given

I'm running through the list of things needed in my mind... I'm super excited to buy these things...

1. Locks for bathroom cabinets above sink.... We keep meds in there.

2. Locks for bathroom cabinets under the sink.... Potential cleaning supplies

3. Locks for cabinets under kitchen sick... Cleaning supplies.  (Hmm.. Maybe we should just identify a cleaning supplies cabinet.... and lock it...)

4. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for each floor... (We're already covered here)

5. Rope ladder for 2nd story in case of fire... (Future child's room doesn't drop onto the roof)

6. Trigger locks for guns

7, Outlet covers, maybe??

Is there anything I'm forgetting?  This covers what the social worker indictaed... But I don't want to leave any room for a HomeStudy failure.  Also, any ideas on how to protect our stairs?  It's an open staircase - so, most gates that attach both sides to a wall won't work.  We'll be licensed for 0 - 18, but prefer 0 - 6. (If that helps any...)  I'm guessing that it varies some by agency and state... but a general idea helps.

Looking at this list, you'd think my house is a death trap right now....lol... but I promise, it isn't. 

jillianmb

Fire extinguishers on every floor, including basement.

Can you post a picture of your stairway (or one like it) so I can get a visual about how to protect it? 

ellekae

Blsd4given:

Also, any ideas on how to protect our stairs?  It's an open staircase - so, most gates that attach both sides to a wall won't work.  

Looking at this list, you'd think my house is a death trap right now....lol... but I promise, it isn't. 

My house seems like death trap too, compared to this list... but I'm not really worried about DD getting into cleaning supplies. Gates keep her in the living room right now, but she's starting to walk, so I guess we'll need to figure something out soon. Ha!

Our house is a split with a wrought iron railing beside the steps, so we had issues with finding a gate that would work. In the end, we got one that doesn't require tension (hard to find and expensive), attached one side to the wall and wire-tied the other side to one of the vertical bars of the railing.

This is the gate we use ?

mommytoconnor

How did we ever survive without all these safety features? I thought my house was pretty safe, but when going thru homestudy I had to have fire extinguisher on every level, escape route from every room in my house posted on fridge, these are the only things I can think of that weren't on your list.  Good luck.

Blsd4given

jillianmb:

Fire extinguishers on every floor, including basement.

Can you post a picture of your stairway (or one like it) so I can get a visual about how to protect it? 

This is a link to pictures of my staircase... https://photobucket.com/blsd4givenstaircase

The staircase goes from the basement to the second floor... It's a split level staircase.  I put titles on the pictures to help describe.

Thanks very much for your input!!

ellekae:

Our house is a split with a wrought iron railing beside the steps, so we had issues with finding a gate that would work. In the end, we got one that doesn't require tension (hard to find and expensive), attached one side to the wall and wire-tied the other side to one of the vertical bars of the railing.

This is the gate we use ?

That gate looks pretty perfect for us... Expensive, but close to perfect.  Our rails are exactly the same as in the picture.

mommytoconnor:

How did we ever survive without all these safety features? I thought my house was pretty safe, but when going thru homestudy I had to have fire extinguisher on every level, escape route from every room in my house posted on fridge, these are the only things I can think of that weren't on your list.  Good luck.

lol.. Going through the list, I've wondered that too.  It must be a miracle..  

Thanks, ladies!!  With all the guidelines and input, this is going to be the safest house in the neighborhood..

jacksjerseygirl

Good luck!

lizlemmon19

Bumpers for the corners/sharp furniture edges?

Non-slip mat in tub (our SW checked).

Dr.Loretta

Every agency/SW is different, so do what they ask you and you'll be fine. You won't fail if a lock is missing. you may have to provide proof that you get them installed ASAP.

We have a baby gate for our stairs.

GL