19. Vehicle Alarm Requirements

Question 1

Vehicle Alarm Requirements

Answer 1

~ all vehicles used by child care facilities to transport children must be equipped with a reliable alarm system approved by the Department
~ the alarm system prompts the driver to inspect the vehicle for children before exiting the vehicle
~ a vehicle’s alarm system works in a few specific ways and must be used according to state and local requirements
~ while turning off the vehicle alarm, vehicle operators must inspect and update the transportation log as part of the procedure

Remember, the alarm is a reminder to inspect the vehicle to ensure no child has been left in the vehicle and update the log.

Question 2

Approved alarm systems must meet the following criteria:

Answer 2

• The alarm system must be armed or activated automatically when the vehicle’s ignition is turned on.
• The alarm system must be designed and installed so that the vehicle horn, siren or other type of audio alarm will sound if the driver/staff member does not walk to the rear or, in the case of a passenger van, the side entry point of the vehicle, to manually shut off or deactivate the alarm.
• The time delay from the time the ignition is turned off after activation of the alarm system until the alarm sounds shall be no longer than one minute.
• The alarm must be audible from the distance of 500 feet from the vehicle.
• The alarm system must be installed so the driver must walk to the back of the vehicle to reach the deactivation mechanism. Deactivation mechanisms installed in locations that do not require the driver to walk to the back of the vehicle and view all seating areas will not be acceptable.