Health and Safety Code § 1596.867

1596.867.

(a) All child daycare facilities, as defined in Section 1596.750, shall include an Earthquake Preparedness Checklist as an attachment to the emergency and disaster plan prescribed by Section 1596.868. However, the Earthquake Preparedness Checklist shall not be considered a requirement for obtaining or maintaining a license for a child daycare facility. The Earthquake Preparedness Checklist shall be made accessible to the public at the child daycare facility. The licensing agency shall not monitor or be responsible for enforcing any provision contained in the Earthquake Preparedness Checklist or ensuring that the checklist is made accessible to the public.

(b) The Earthquake Preparedness Checklist shall not exceed two typewritten pages and the department may add to or delete from the list, as it deems appropriate. The checklist may include, but not be limited to, all of the procedures that are listed in the following proposed Earthquake Preparedness Checklist. A licensee of a child daycare facility shall have the option of selecting from the checklist the procedures, if any, the licensee chooses to use in the child daycare facility.

Earthquake Preparedness Checklist (EPC)*

Eliminate potential hazards in classrooms and throughout the
site:

Bolt bookcases in high traffic areas securely to wall studs

Move heavy books and items from high to low shelves

Secure and latch filing cabinets

Secure cabinets in high traffic areas with child safety latches

Secure aquariums, computers, typewriters, TV-VCR
equipment to surfaces, such as by using Velcro tabs

Make provisions for securing rolling portable items such as
TV-VCRs, pianos, refrigerators

Move children’s activities and play areas away from
windows, or protect windows with blinds or adhesive
plastic sheeting

Secure water heater to wall using plumber’s tape

Assess and determine possible escape routes

Establish a coordinated response plan involving all of the following:

Involving children:

Teach children about earthquakes and what to do (see
resource list below)

Practice “duck, cover, and hold” earthquake drills under
tables or desks no less than 4 times a year

Involving parents:

Post, or make available to parents, copies of the school
earthquake safety plan (including procedures for
reuniting parents or alternate guardians with children,
location of planned evacuation site, method for leaving
messages and communicating)

Enlist parent and community resource assistance in securing
emergency supplies or safeguarding the child daycare
site:

store a 3-day supply of nonperishable food (including
juice, canned food items, snacks, and infant
formula)

store a 3-day supply of water and juice

store food and water in an accessible location, such as
portable plastic storage containers

store other emergency supplies such as flashlights, a
radio with extra batteries, heavy gloves, trash bags,
and tools

maintain a complete, up-to-date listing of children,
emergency numbers, and contact people for each
classroom stored with emergency supplies

Involving child daycare personnel and local emergency
agencies:

Identify and assign individual responsibilities for staff
following an earthquake (including accounting for and
evacuating children, injury control, damage assessment)

Involve and train all staff members about the earthquake
safety plan, including location and procedure for turning
off utilities and gas

Contact nearby agencies (including police, fire, Red Cross,
and local government) for information and materials in
developing the child daycare center earthquake safety plan

*For more free resources contact:

(1) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
(2) Office of Emergency Services
(3) Red Cross

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the adoption or enforcement of earthquake safety standards for child daycare facilities by local ordinance.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the department from adopting or enforcing regulations on earthquake safety.