Hardwired Home Phone Requirement in Maryland

[Togmummy]

Hello everyone.

I am at a crossroad. Currently at the fire inspection phase, the fire inspector came out last month and gave me a list of requirement needed to pass my fire inspection. A hardwired phone was a requirement; I got 2 phones- Magic jack and a sprint VOIP phone which was rejected by him.

For anyone in Maryland, How did you cross this hurdle? What home phone provider did you end up going with?

Thanks
Togmummy

[Blackcat31]

Hello everyone.

I am at a crossroad. Currently at the fire inspection phase, the fire inspector came out last month and gave me a list of requirement needed to pass my fire inspection. A hardwired phone was a requirement; I got 2 phones- Magic jack and a sprint VOIP phone which was rejected by him.

For anyone in Maryland, How did you cross this hurdle? What home phone provider did you end up going with?

Thanks
Togmummy

Welcome to the forum!

Here is a similar thread about this issue for Iowa providers.

Perhaps there is some info in the thread that could be helpful for you.

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53802

We also have a few members from MA that may be able to answer your questions too....the forum chatter picks up on weekdays so check back!

[Naptime yet?]

Our phone service is through Verizon. Although we have cordless phones, I did have to plug a phone into a jack in the kitchen so I could still make calls if the power went out.

I don't know how you could get around this. As far as I know, you won't be able to get your license without a hardwired phone in MD. Maybe check out some different plans & see what would be the cheapest to have just one hardwired jack/line installed. You can always write it off as a business expense come tax time.

Good luck.

[AuntTami]

Our phone service is through Verizon. Although we have cordless phones, I did have to plug a phone into a jack in the kitchen so I could still make calls if the power went out.

I don't know how you could get around this. As far as I know, you won't be able to get your license without a hardwired phone in MD. Maybe check out some different plans & see what would be the cheapest to have just one hardwired jack/line installed. You can always write it off as a business expense come tax time.

Good luck.

Check with your cable company. A lot of the times they'll be willing to "bundle" a package and basically give you a free line. I had Internet,cable and phone for a while and it was CHEAPER than just Internet and cable because of the "bundle" price verses each individual service price.

[CraftyMom]

I am in MA, we go through Charter, our cable service. We have the cable, internet, phone bundle. There isn't much of a difference cost wise without the phone, so it makes sense for us to do the bundle. Although we just about never use the house phone, but it is required.

[Second Home]

I was recently told by my licensing specialist that a hardwired land line was no longer required . As long as I have a phone that is unlocked which a child can pick up and just dial 911.

I would call and check with licensing . Or check the regulations online .

I had my fire inspection a few weeks ago and they never asked about the phone .

[Annalee]

Licensing mandates that we have a land line as well....Funny thing is, NO clients call the house phone, they call/text my cell or email me....The house phone is wasted money every month but it is considered a major violation if I don't have what they call a land line

[CraftyMom]

Licensing mandates that we have a land line as well....Funny thing is, NO clients call the house phone, they call/text my cell or email me....The house phone is wasted money every month but it is considered a major violation if I don't have what they call a land line

Same here. I can see back when we used to have a separate telephone service, where the phone would still work even if the power went out since it was completely separate, so I could see the safety feature. Now, since I go through the cable company, if my power goes out then so does my modem, so the home phone will not work. My cell phone however WILL work :: Go figure, just hoops to jump through

[permanentvacation]

I've done licensed daycare in Maryland for over 20 years and the fire Marshall has never asked about my phone. I don't understand why yours did. I have my land line through a bundle package with Comcast. However, I think we were told a while ago that we are no longer required to have a land line as long as our cell isn't password protected like Second Home said. I also agree with Second Home that you should call your specialist and ask whether you are required to have a land line now or not.

[hsdcmama]

Licensing mandates that we have a land line as well....Funny thing is, NO clients call the house phone, they call/text my cell or email me....The house phone is wasted money every month but it is considered a major violation if I don't have what they call a land line

Same here; the only people who ever call my phone are telemarketers.

[Togmummy]

Exactly what i told the inspector last week.

Thanks CraftyMom.

Same here. I can see back when we used to have a separate telephone service, where the phone would still work even if the power went out since it was completely separate, so I could see the safety feature. Now, since I go through the cable company, if my power goes out then so does my modem, so the home phone will not work. My cell phone however WILL work :: Go figure, just hoops to jump through

[Togmummy]

I am so jealous of you right now... I wish i could switch my inspector.....

Too much hurdle with this inspection; thumb latch for the sliding door, fire extinguisher, exit sign, hardwired phone.......

Thanks for your input

I was recently told by my licensing specialist that a hardwired land line was no longer required . As long as I have a phone that is unlocked which a child can pick up and just dial 911.

I would call and check with licensing . Or check the regulations online .

I had my fire inspection a few weeks ago and they never asked about the phone .

[Togmummy]

Am currently at the inspection stage with the fire department, i don't have the information for the specialist yet.... I need to check online for their contact.

Thanks

I've done licensed daycare in Maryland for over 20 years and the fire Marshall has never asked about my phone. I don't understand why yours did. I have my land line through a bundle package with Comcast. However, I think we were told a while ago that we are no longer required to have a land line as long as our cell isn't password protected like Second Home said. I also agree with Second Home that you should call your specialist and ask whether you are required to have a land line now or not.

[Second Home]

We do not need the fire extinguisher anymore either . I have one but it is in the basement now. When my fire marshall asked and I told him it was downstairs he said o.k. it is not a requirement anymore but we check them if you have one .

Sounds like your fire inspector is a bit behind in the regs .

[Maggie]

I was recently told by my licensing specialist that a hardwired land line was no longer required . As long as I have a phone that is unlocked which a child can pick up and just dial 911.

I would call and check with licensing . Or check the regulations online .

I had my fire inspection a few weeks ago and they never asked about the phone .

Same here no longer required for me. My fire inspector has never asked about a phone.