[ak32501]

Sorry - still learning my way around here - wasn't sure where would be best to post this at first.

Hi - I am new to this site but tend to lurk on some others. DH and I are doing domestic infant through a local agency. We have just about all of our information turned in to begin our homestudy. I have an appt next week with the health inspector and was just wondering what that inspection consists of. He said he would need 15 mins to check water/sewer, cats/dogs, trash????

So - what is he coming over to do???

Also - does anyone know what the Fire Marshall will be looking at.

We are in Maryland - I don't believe all states required these inspections.

Any insight is appreciated.

Thank you

[DianeS]

It's not a big deal. In a nutshell, they're making sure your home is safe for a child. That you don't have any huge hazards lying around (like broken glass and dog feces on the floor), that the house isn't a firetrap (with exposed wiring and such), that you have the needed emergency exits (like doors, duh), and so on.

They'll probably have checklists, and go through the house doing things like opening your fridge to make sure it works, running the water to be sure you have it, flushing the toilet to be sure you're connected to a sewer line, turning a couple lights on and off to be sure you have electricity.

In most places they do only take a few minutes. Sometimes they get specific about things they've had problems with before - like these might be the people who check to be sure any pets have had their rabies shots. Or they'll make sure you have bars on a window if it's a certain number of feet above the ground.

Just remember it's not a one-shot deal. If they require something you don't have yet, they'll leave you with a list and schedule a date to come back. It's nerve-wracking, but not a one-time thing.

Hang in there!