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Washington Administrative Code (Last Updated: November 23, 2016) |
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Title 388. Social and Health Services, Department of |
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Chapter 388-145. Licensing requirements for group care facilities and services. |
Section 388-145-1590. How must I keep children safe around bodies of water?
Latest version.
- (1) You must ensure children in your care are safe around bodies of water. You must:(a) Keep all swimming pools and other bodies of water fenced with a locking gate or other DLR-approved safety device;(b) Lock hot tubs when not in use;(c) Make all potential water hazards, including wading pools, inaccessible to children when not in use.(2) All swimming pools and other bodies of water must comply with state and local regulations. You must work with your licensor to establish a plan for the bodies of water based on the development level and behaviors of the children in your facility.(3) You must ensure age and developmentally appropriate supervision of any child that uses hot tubs, swimming pools, spas, and around man-made and natural bodies of water. A supervision plan may be necessary for children with specific behaviors.(4) You must observe the following when foster children are swimming in pools or outdoor bodies of water:(a) Swim only in designated swimming areas; or(b) Require all children age 13 and under to wear U.S. Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices when swimming outside the supervision of a lifeguard.(5) If you have any water-based recreation devices, you must use and maintain them according to manufacturer's recommendations. All children and youth who ride in a water-based recreation device must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal floatation device at all times.(6) Except for staffed residential homes licensed for five or fewer children, you must have a person with current life saving certification on duty when children are swimming in any swimming pool or outdoor body of water.(7) For staffed residential licensed for five or fewer children, an adult with current age-appropriate first aid and CPR or a person with current life saving certification must supervise children swimming under age twelve. The supervising adult must know how to, and be able to use rescue equipment, and be able to see and hear the children at all times.(8) Children under the age of five must be within touching distance of a supervising adult or the child's birth parent at all times.