• Youth homes that provide shelter to children who have been displaced from their homes or family due to unsafe conditions or changes in the family unit are periodically inspected both internally by staff or board members and externally by state agencies to ensure a safe and healthy environment. Because the focus is on the welfare of the child, a failing inspection can result in revoking an operating license and possible legal action.
  
  

Child Proofing

• The area must be free of toxic substances such as household cleaners and potentially harmful items such as knives, plastic bags or open electrical outlets that are easily accessible by children. Caretakers are asked to cover the edges of tables and other furniture with padding to avoid injury and install gates at the tops of stairs to avoid falling. Because some plants can be poisonous, any greenery displayed in the home should be checked out first or kept out of reach.
  
  

Sanitary Conditions

• A clean and up-to-date kitchenkitchen sink image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
  
  Youth homes are mostly residential facilities that provide meals throughout the day so proper storage of food and cleanliness of preparation areas are important. Meats and produce are expected to be kept at an appropriate temperature and should not be past their expiration date. Periodic pest control is essential and kitchen workers are expected to wear gloves and cannot work during an illness. Food items should be separated from cleaning supplies, and the kitchen should be stocked to accommodate any special dietary needs of its residents.
  
  

Well-Trained Staff

• For a youth home to operate safely and efficiently, employees are required to have ample experience working with at-risk clients. Most organizations either ask for a license in social work or a specified number of completed college coursework hours in a related field. Equivalent work experience dealing with children in a residential or therapeutic environment is useful. Facilities are also evaluated on the ratio of employees to residents to ensure an adequate level of control during emergencies or disruptive behavior. Staff should exhibit adequate records of background and criminal history checks as well as follow-ups on personal references before hiring.
  
  

Prepared for Emergencies

• Residents as well as employees should be informed of fire safety procedures, which need to be visibly posted or made available in writing. Each floor should be equipped with a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguishers, and exits should be free from any obstructions. Residence counselors aware of any special medical needs faced by their clients must be able to perform basic first aid. They should also have contact numbers ready in case of an emergency. Young children who use wheelchairs, crutches or any other assistance need to be housed on the ground floor for ease of evacuation. Homes that are found to be in violation are given a reasonable amount of time to correct them.