Baby Gates For Stairs

In the United States alone, more than a thousand people die each year due to stair related accidents. Most of these are the very old and the very young. The majority of parents have the desire to do whatever they can to minimize the risks their children are exposed to. When it comes to expandable baby safety gates there are so many different ones to choose from. Consider that baby gates for stairs, doorways and even fireplace safety gates average in size from widths of about 20 inches to 36 inches, however there are extra wide baby gates as well for larger doorways and stair openings. Baby gates have an average height of about 30 inches or taller if need be, and come in many different price ranges, a parent might struggle with which one to buy. This article is designed to shed some light on this issue and to help a parent make an informed choice. In this article, you will find which baby safety gate could be right for you, where to install the baby safety gate and how to install the baby gate.

Baby safety gates are designed to prevent accidents, such as falls down the stairs, but also to prevent access to “off-limit” areas. Because different gates serve different purposes, just how different child safety cabinet locks work better for different cabinets, determining which one to use on your staircase might be difficult. Pressure mounted baby gates are an example of a gate which is safe to use in other areas of the home, such as to block off a doorway or an opening between rooms, but they should never be used to prevent injuries on the stairs. If enough weight is applied to a pressure mounted safety gate, it can “pop out” from between the walls. Pressure mounted gates are normally cheaper than other gates and are generally safe to use in areas where the floor on either side of the gate are level with each other. For use on stairs, a person would want to purchase a gate that is hardware mounted. This means the gate is securely applied to the wall or banister with screws or some other piece of hardware. If a person does not want any lasting damage, “no hole” post mounts can be purchased also.

In high traffic areas, it is better to splurge on a more expensive, but convenient children’s safety gate such as a retractable baby gate, than to buy a gate that is less expensive but more of a hassle to use. Recently, baby gate manufacturers have been developing gate handles than are easier for adults to latch and unlatch. This is important because the more convenient a gate is to use, the more likely an adult will be to use it. A gate can only serve its purpose of protecting a child if it is used every time a child is around.

It is better to install a gate before a child becomes mobile. This allows everyone, including other children, to become accustomed to using the safety gate regularly. But then a person might wonder where he or she will need a gate. Some general “off-limit” areas are the top of the stairs, home offices, exercise areas, and even playrooms that might contain toys and objects unsuitable for infants and toddlers. After a person decides which areas in the home need to be partitioned off, it is wise to carefully examine the opening for which a safety gate is needed and to select the safest and most appropriate type of gate. The gate you choose should be selected by which one is the safest for each particular room or opening and not one based on how you want it to operate or look.

Last, a person needs to consider how to install the baby safety gate. Most gates will come with instructions on how to install the baby safety gate. They should be followed exactly the way they are written out for the utmost safety. Also, if the gate should malfunction and an accident occurs, the manufacturer may not be able to be held responsible if the gate was not installed correctly in the first place.

Of course all parents want their children to be safe, but before someone runs out and buys the most expensive safety equipment, stop and consider what it needs to accomplish. The amount spent will not keep kids safe. Only thoughtful planning and consideration will.