Ohio child care safety & emergency drills
Required drills, mandatory reporting, and child-health rules. This page isolates the configured Ohio figures, related explanations, and primary source links from the full licensing guide.
Cited to OAC 5180:2-12Verified June 2026Summary only, not legal advice
Required emergency drills
- FireOAC 5180:2-12-16(A)(4)Monthly
- Tornado / Weather emergencyOAC 5180:2-12-16(A)(5)Monthly (March–September)
- Lockdown / EmergencyOAC 5180:2-12-16(A)(6)Quarterly
Suspected abuse or neglect must be reported: Immediately (ORC 2151.421).
- Safe-sleep practices required for infants
- Medication-administration training required
- Children follow the CDC/ACIP immunization schedule; Ohio accepts medical and religious exemptions with the required documentation
Citation: OAC 5180:2-12
Ohio safety & emergency drills FAQ
What emergency drills does Ohio require?
Centers must run fire drills monthly at varying times of day, tornado and severe-weather drills monthly from March through September, and a lockdown or emergency drill once each calendar quarter. Serious incidents must be reported immediately under ORC 2151.421.
Disclaimer: These figures are a summary drawn from Ohio's rules; operators should always confirm current requirements directly with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth before making licensing decisions. This page is a summary for informational purposes only and is not legal or compliance advice. Confirm with Ohio Department of Children and Youth.