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Violation

California Code § 102417(g)(4)Hazardous Material Storage

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type A, seriousAffects Family Child Care Homes55 facilities cited in the last 90 days
ℹ️ Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer →

Regulation text

What California Code § 102417(g)(4) actually says

California Code § 102417(g)(4)

Poisons, detergents, cleaning compounds, medicines, firearms and other items which could pose a danger if readily available to children shall be stored where they are inaccessible to children.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Inspectors don't just glance at your cabinets. They open them, test the locks, and get down to a child's eye level to check accessibility. In family child care homes, the kitchen and bathroom are the two areas that generate the most citations because providers treat them like personal spaces rather than licensed care environments. San Diego County leads citations here because inspectors actively test every latch during walkthroughs. A high shelf doesn't count as inaccessible if a child can climb a chair to reach it. Install actual child-proof locks on every cabinet containing anything toxic, and remember that a purse on a counter with medication inside counts as an accessible hazard. The difference between a warning and a write-up usually comes down to whether the item poses immediate danger: unlocked bleach under the sink is an immediate citation, while a bottle of hand soap on the counter might get a verbal reminder.

By the numbers

55*CCLD
facilities cited in the last 90 days

That is 1 in 1667 facilities CCLD inspected.

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly

21*CCLD
counties where this citation appeared

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly

8*CCLD
rank among most-common citations

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly

Trajectory
More citations than the prior period
+23 facilities

Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.

55 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

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What other providers do

Common practices to stay clear of Hazardous Material Storage

Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

Common practices

What to avoid

  • Storing cleaning supplies under the kitchen or bathroom sink with no lock, relying on child-resistant caps as the safety measure. Child-resistant does not mean childproof, and CCLD requires that hazardous items be inaccessible, not just difficult to open. Inspectors cite this every time.
  • Leaving personal medications in a purse, backpack, or lunchbox within children's reach. Providers forget that their own belongings count as accessible storage. An inspector who spots a purse on a hook at child height will check inside for medication, and finding any results in a citation.
  • Assuming that 'out of reach' means the same thing as 'inaccessible.' A shelf above the washer might seem high enough, but if a child can climb the laundry basket to reach it, it fails the accessibility test. Inspectors evaluate access from a child's perspective, including what furniture or objects could be used as stepping stools.
  • Forgetting to secure items in transitional spaces like the garage, laundry room, or backyard shed. Providers focus on childproofing the main care areas but leave pesticides, paint, or tools accessible in spaces children pass through during outdoor play or transitions.

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records. Click a county to see its weekly intelligence report.

Regional citations for Hazardous Material Storage, last 90 days
CountyCitations
Riverside9
Santa Barbara7
Santa Clara4
Kern3
Ventura3
San Diego3
Sacramento3
Los Angeles3
San Bernardino3
Tulare2

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly

Further reading

Articles about this topic

Public record

Check any facility for § 102417(g)(4)

Free public record. No account needed.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is Hazardous Material Storage?
California regulation 102417(g)(4) requires that poisons, detergents, cleaning compounds, medicines, firearms, and any other dangerous items be stored where children cannot access them. "Inaccessible" means locked cabinets or secured storage, not simply a high shelf a child could reach by climbing. For your family child care home, this applies to every room children enter or pass through, including the garage, laundry room, and backyard shed.
How common is this citation?
According to California CCLD inspection records as of March 15, 2026, 41 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 19 California counties. That's roughly 1 in 976 inspected facilities. San Diego and Santa Barbara counties lead with 5 citations each, followed by Riverside with 4. Kern and Los Angeles counties each recorded 3 citations. The wide geographic spread across 19 counties shows this regulation is enforced consistently statewide, not just in major metro areas.
What triggers this citation during an inspection?
Inspectors physically open cabinets, test child-proof locks, and evaluate access from a child's height and perspective. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, the most common triggers are unlocked cleaning supplies under the kitchen or bathroom sink and personal medications in a purse or bag within children's reach. Inspectors also check transitional spaces like garages and laundry rooms. They assess whether nearby furniture, laundry baskets, or toys could serve as stepping stools to reach items on open shelves. Unlocked bleach under the sink results in an immediate citation.
How can I prevent this citation?
Install child-proof locks on every cabinet containing cleaning products, medications (including vitamins and over-the-counter drugs), or any toxic substance. Store personal bags and purses containing medication in a locked area, not on hooks or counters at child height. Walk through your entire home monthly at a child's eye level and test every lock. Check the garage, laundry room, and outdoor storage, not just the main care areas. Replace any worn-out latches immediately.
What should I do if I receive this citation?
Install or replace locks on the specific storage areas identified in the citation within 24 hours. Photograph the corrected storage to include with your Plan of Correction. Then conduct a full home walkthrough to identify any other accessible hazards before the follow-up visit. Move personal medications to a single locked location and establish a daily check to confirm all safety latches are functioning. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed child care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.